Quote:
Originally Posted by Maru
The impression we're being given in the US was that the govt were increasingly leaning towards banning all displays of the flag in many settings to limit tensions, not just from lamp posts and that I would wholeheartedly disagree with for the obvious. The algorithms and basic internet searches are doing a horrific job of explaining exactly how and where played out which is why I check here, but for most Americans banning our national flag in any capacity (culturally) is literally unthinkable. So it's creating more interest in what is happening in the UK than is normal and not in a good way.
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That's a false impression. Some local councils have asked residents not to put up flags on street lamps because of safety - if Bob falls while erecting it, or if he does a rubbish job and it falls on a car, blocking their vision and causing an accident, or a pedestrian at the side of a road. But really, nothing much is happening. I drove through a small town yesterday and the high street was laced with the Union flag on either side for the full stretch of the street. Moreover, a Google search shows people are more than welcome to fly flags on their own property:
Flags are a very British way of expressing joy and pride – they are emotive symbols which can boost local and national identities, strengthen community cohesion and mark civic pride.
The government wants to see more flags flown, particularly the Union Flag, the flag of the United Kingdom. It is a symbol of national unity and pride. The government has recently issued guidance encouraging the flying of the Union Flag on all UK government buildings throughout the year, alongside other national and local flags.
We are keen for local authorities and other local organisations to follow suit. We have made it easier for the Union Flag to be flown alongside other flags, so organisations can highlight their local identities, as well as their national identities, and celebrate special days or events which champion civic pride.
In England, the flying of flags is treated as advertisements for the purposes of the planning regime to ensure the flags do not impact on safety or amenity. Some flags require formal consent (permission) from the local planning authority, whereas others like the Union Flag do not - GOV.uk
But I think you also have to consider context. Currently there is Project 'Raise the Colour' (ironically the same people are definitely against rainbow flags being raised, the most colourful of all
). Project raise the Colours is not doing done because of country pride, regardless of what others pretend. It's being done to cause discomfort and 'remind' people we are Great Britain.
In a time when we have
NHS workers attacked in parks,
when people are emboldened to salute like a nazi, when far-right Reform,
a party whose whole schtick is deporting migrants and nothing else are leading the polls,
when we're given daily small-boat crossing numbers like they are Covid deaths, when
2/5ths of those arrested last summer for violent anti-migrant rioting have a history of domestic abuse and when
7 in all 10 hate crimes are racially motivated, anyone with an announce of emotional or logical intelligence can see the intention behind why flags are being raised and why when it is an instigator for division and, therefore, best not done.
Ironically weaponising your country's flag to incite hate, cause discomfort and utilise as a symbol to drive division is probably the most unpatriotic thing a person can do.