Flags

[JohnL]

Well All ministers have one, Boris has two and Sir Kier Starmer has been told to get one quick. Flags are brilliant when you're on a zoom meeting as they show your patriotism.

I'm buying this one and it's only ?111 and surely I can claim tax off that as Boris wants us all to have one.

https://flagmakers.co.uk/products/flags/national-flags/united-kingdom/wales-dragon/

[Alan Medic]

Are you sure Hancock has one, when he's broadcasting from his toilet? He's looks like the sort of boy they're mean to, and maybe told him he can't have a flag!

[Spartacus]

I've got a Jolly Roger

Can I play?

[malumbu]

Posted early on during Covid about the increased prominence of the Union flag in PM briefings etc, drawing comparisons to 1930s Germany and the NF in the 70s. Was rather shot down but interesting to see there is now a competition between the two main political parties. Personally I don't have any problems that we are not a flag flying country, don't have flag poles in our front gardens and tend to leave the flags for special occasions. Phew I mentioned that without mentioning Brexit. Damn..... I mentioned it.... Although I like what some other countries do having the regional, national and EU flag up, with pride in all three.

[diable rouge]

After the Biden win I saw this graphic showing all the previous Vice-Presidents, the point being that Kamala Harris was going to be the first female VP as well as BAME...

Apart from those two obvious differences, what also stands out is the use of the Stars and Stripes in the background, which has only been 'a thing' since Spiro Agnew ('69-'73). A more recent addition is the lapel badge, started by Dick Cheney ('01-'09). Now even our health secretaries go around wearing an NHS badge to 'prove' their commitment. Modern day political virtue signaling in a visual communicative world...

[malumbu]

Shocking, she is not wearing a tie. Not sure if any of the blokes are wearing heals though. Most of the blokes look old enough to be her father (at their age when the pictures were taken)

[alex_b]

There?s a flag lurking behind Tricky Dicky too. The lapel badge was a post 9/11 thing. Not exactly sure when it became a thing over here but I remember seeing conservatives with a union flag/stars and stripes combo showing support for the US in around 2008.

[Nigello]

I think flags are useful but can be abused. I also don't like the idea that it is ok for people to be lauded for waving, say the saltire, but not the union flag. (Eg. people who like the idea of an indy Scotland and the associated manifestation of that through flag waving there but decry self-determination for Britain outside the EU and any linked showing of the union flag).

[malumbu]

Reminds me of England matches in the 60s and 70s when Union flags rather than the flag of St George were waved, never more obvious than home internationals against Scotland when those North of the border brought the St Andrew's Cross and royal banner. I expect many in England weren't bothered until racist groups appropriated the St Georges Cross.

This bloke goes on (and on and on) about national identity https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/billy-bragg-looking-new-england-9215881.html

[malumbu]

Case in point