Fly the flag

[malumbu]

I'll be having my second visit to part of the country where the lampposts are festooned with flags of St George and the Union flag.  I'm finding it uncomfortable. This is directly related to the Epping protest/far right groups.

There is plenty of discussion on our rights to fly the flag and be proud of our nation.  Slogans such as 'we got rid of Adolf, now we need to get rid of Abdul', do not give me pride in some of my fellow country people.

There is much talk about communities that are 'left behind', I expect that they have more fear from AI in taking their jobs.

Yet some of the pretty parts of Essex I cycled through were not left behind.  And I expect had little experience of other cultures beyond the local takeaway.  There are 11 million people born abroad legally living and most working in this country.  Many providing vital high skilled services, as well as care and other jobs

We all know that governments need to get on top of numbers arriving seeking asylum through irregular means.  Around half will be granted asylum https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-march-2025/how-many-people-are-granted-asylum-in-the-uk  

The numbers are far lower than the 11 million above,

There are 100,000s of potential sexual harassment cases every year. This is wrong, and whilst in my life I've seen generally greater respect between the genders there is a long way to go.  https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/experiencesofharassmentinenglandandwales/december2023 But the reaction to one court case is frightening.  

I wake up each morning to find out more deaths in Gaza and Ukraine (and other places currently considered less newsworthy).  And more environmental disasters.  That's what keeps me up at night.  Ironically globally insecurities, rising temperatures and floods/droughts will mean even more want to come to 'safe' refuges.  

The flag flying during the 2012 Olympics when there was genuine pride is very different to now.

[heartblock]

Absolutely agree. 

[jazzer]

I'd like more news about what's happening in the UK and less news around the world, Shame BBC only have one news story running continuously. ITV London news reports on minority groups, Ditto GB news features predominantly on immigration, there are other news stories to report. 

News is about and for everyone. 

[MrCheeky]

[Dulwichway]

10 minutes ago, jazzer said:

I'd like more news about what's happening in the UK and less news around the world, Shame BBC only have one news story running continuously. ITV London news reports on minority groups, Ditto GB news features predominantly on immigration, there are other news stories to report. 

News is about and for everyone. 

The silent majority are here, but only a tiny few post their anti English/British rhetoric, shame really, because we used to be a really proud nation and what we gave to the world. Now our British children are being educated to hate themselves! can't be right!

[jazzer]

I would just like to see more news about what;s happening here. 

Not into the pro/anti British discussion, 

[malumbu]

So back to the topic please.

[Cancerian]

Back to the topic of flag flying and ‘far right groups’  as you’ve  said in your original post.

Where are Starmer and Rayner? One is on holiday and the other is floating about in a kayak having a vape. 

[malumbu]

Why is that relevant?   It would be good to have a proper discussion rather than some trivial comments.  And good luck to him having a holiday and good luck to her having a vape.  

2 hours ago, Dulwichway said:

The silent majority are here, but only a tiny few post their anti English/British rhetoric, shame really, because we used to be a really proud nation and what we gave to the world. Now our British children are being educated to hate themselves! can't be right!

Ancient Greeks gave democracy o the world,  I really don't know what you are talking about.  

[MrCheeky]

37 minutes ago, Cancerian said:

Back to the topic of flag flying and ‘far right groups’  as you’ve  said in your original post.

Where are Starmer and Rayner? One is on holiday and the other is floating about in a kayak having a vape. 

there sheep free handouts never done a days work pIeads insanity it sufers from agrophobia.. it hates Britain but knows where its bread is buttered.if you Iook at its past posts says a Iot about it 

[Insuflo]

59 minutes ago, MrCheeky said:

there sheep free handouts never done a days work pIeads insanity it sufers from agrophobia.. it hates Britain but knows where its bread is buttered.if you Iook at its past posts says a Iot about it 

I always find it strange that those who rant and rave about their Englishness are consistently incapable of writing in anything approaching intelligible English. Or using a spellchecker.

[MrCheeky]

6 hours ago, Insuflo said:

I always find it strange that those who rant and rave about their Englishness are consistently incapable of writing in anything approaching intelligible English. Or using a spellchecker.

The mission is clear: lift the Union Jack higher than ever

[Spartacus]

@malumbu your original post is a bit confising with multiple, possibly unrelated,  concepts thrown together.

Let's address the title of the thread.

What are you looking for here, objecting to people flying their national flag? Tying to draw extreme comments out or associating flag flying with the far right ? 

The real qquestion possibly is should we feel ashamed to fly the flag?

Possibly not, however the reasons for flying it should not be hijacked by political or extremism motivations. 

We shouldn't be ashamed of our flag, but a minority seem to be using ir to incite hatred against others. 

Therefore the real debate should be around how to remove the extremist views from ability to put a flag up? 

I don't have an answer and we won't get one on here but good to have a discussion that may stir a few thoughts. 

[malumbu]

Thanks for a considered response.  Unlike others....

There is a campaign to fly the flag that is fronted by people who don't like the impact of immigration on this country.

Everyone and anyone can fly to flag to celebrate their Englishness, Britishness or whatever.  Or perhaps just liking the colour and design.

Your last two lines are the crux of my concerns. I think the minority is sizeable, and has been increasing since Brexit and the rise of certain political parties, extreme groups, individuals, enabled by social media and a fair amount of fake news.

 

[MrCheeky]

mug for saIe 

Sorry wrong section 

[malumbu]

A Secret Santa gift you received I assume?  

[Sue]

2 hours ago, MrCheeky said:

mug for saIe 

Sorry wrong section 

That has really contributed something positive to a discussion on an an important topic.

That was sarcasm btw, in case you didn't realise.

[Insuflo]

As this place has degenerated into a Twitter thread, here goes: I love to see people waving or wrapping themselves in Engerlaand flags. It saves me having to consult the reference manual.

[Dulwichway]

On 29/08/2025 at 18:05, Insuflo said:

As this place has degenerated into a Twitter thread, here goes: I love to see people waving or wrapping themselves in Engerlaand flags. It saves me having to consult the reference manual.

I'm sure Scooby and the gang would be aiming that book at the current left/far left brigade! lol!

[CPR Dave]

On 28/08/2025 at 23:33, Cancerian said:

Where are Starmer and Rayner?

Starmer was in the news today saying he flies a St. George's flag in his flat in Downing Street.

 

Make of that what you will.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/keir-starmer-is-downing-streets-david-brent/

"Whenever Starmer tries to appear normal, he ends up sounding like a mixture of David Brent and the acid bath murderer. As he was asked about the proliferation of flags across the country, there came some absolutely classic examples of the genre. ‘I’m a supporter of flags’, he began. ‘I always sit in front of the Union Jack’, he insisted. Always? I can just imagine a flunky following the PM around – to his local, on trains, as he goes to the lavatory, just to ensure he is always in the presence of a Union Jack. Determined to make things even weirder, Starmer informed Chorley that he had a St George’s Flag up in his flat, as if he was trying to entice him upstairs in order to kill and eat him."

[NewWave]

As someone who's gradparents on both sides were immigrants, and someone old enough to remember my parents fear and anxiety over Enoch Powell I am deeply distubed by the rise of the far right, anti immigration and general xenophobia I am witnessing in the UK and in the tabloid press.

seeing the cross of St George flag makes me shudder...rightly or wrongly I read it as a pro white anti anyone not of pure white christian origins.

Within immigrants this country would be sc**wed. 

I was born here but sadly I don't feel particularly at home here any longer.

[Dulwichway]

1 hour ago, CPR Dave said:

Starmer was in the news today saying he flies a St. George's flag in his flat in Downing Street.

 

Make of that what you will.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/keir-starmer-is-downing-streets-david-brent/

"Whenever Starmer tries to appear normal, he ends up sounding like a mixture of David Brent and the acid bath murderer. As he was asked about the proliferation of flags across the country, there came some absolutely classic examples of the genre. ‘I’m a supporter of flags’, he began. ‘I always sit in front of the Union Jack’, he insisted. Always? I can just imagine a flunky following the PM around – to his local, on trains, as he goes to the lavatory, just to ensure he is always in the presence of a Union Jack. Determined to make things even weirder, Starmer informed Chorley that he had a St George’s Flag up in his flat, as if he was trying to entice him upstairs in order to kill and eat him."

Would be nice to fly the English flag on all English Council and Government buildings in actual England for gods sake! and if the respectful invited newcomers in recent decades assimilated to our well established society, how nice would that be now? happy families and a prosperous exciting friendly future together. You know it makes sense!. 😉