Across the UK, what should be a simple act of hanging a flag has now turned into a heated national debate.
From London to Birmingham and Newcastle, tensions are rising over which flags are allowed to stay and which are swiftly removed.
The controversy has been sparked by a growing movement known as Operation Raise the Colours, where campaigners are defiantly putting up England and Union Jack flags in towns and cities across the country.
Tower Hamlets at the Heart of the Row
In East London’s Tower Hamlets, council workers were seen taking down freshly raised St George’s Crosses only hours after activists had put them up.
The council, led by Mayor Lutfur Rahman of the Aspire Party, argued that flags placed on public property without permission would not be tolerated.
Yet, this stance has stirred resentment because the same council previously allowed Palestine flags to hang on lamp posts and buildings for months.
Many locals pointed out the double standard, recalling that those Palestine flags were only removed after strong complaints from Jewish residents who said they felt intimidated.
Critics argue that the swift removal of England flags, compared with the delayed action on others, makes the council’s policies appear inconsistent and divisive.
Workers Facing Backlash from Residents
For frontline workers, the flag removals have not been easy.
Tyrone, a council cleaner in Tower Hamlets, explained that he and his colleague had to stop their work halfway through the day due to constant abuse from angry residents.
Locals accused him of targeting British flags while others had been left untouched. Some even vowed to put the flags back up as soon as the workers left.
Tyrone admitted he didn’t fully understand the politics behind the flags—he was simply following instructions.
But the growing hostility has made the job increasingly stressful, with workers now planning to return early in the morning to avoid confrontations.
Anger from Political Leaders
The council’s actions have drawn criticism from political figures too.
Susan Hall, Conservative leader in the London Assembly, called the decision “outrageous,” questioning why Palestinian flags were tolerated but English flags removed.
Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith went further, describing the situation as “an unnecessary mess” and demanding clear, fair rules that apply to all flags equally.
They argue that the St George’s Cross and Union Jack are symbols of national pride and unity, and councils risk alienating communities by treating them differently from other banners.
The Spread of Operation Raise the Colours
What started in Birmingham has quickly spread nationwide.
In Birmingham’s Northfield suburb, residents decorated roundabouts with red and white in support of England.
The council soon removed those flags too, citing safety risks.
But leaked internal emails revealed officials were hesitant to remove Palestine flags in the same city without police protection—further fueling accusations of double standards.
Activists behind Operation Raise the Colours are using social media to encourage people to display English and UK flags in defiance of council bans, creating a wave of flag displays across Bradford, Norwich, Swindon, Newcastle, and beyond.
Jewish Residents Voice Fears
The issue has deeper layers in Tower Hamlets.
Jewish families have long raised concerns about large Palestine flag displays in their community, saying they feel unsafe and unwanted.
Some even considered leaving the borough entirely, describing anti-Semitism as being “normalised.”
The legal group UK Lawyers for Israel previously challenged the council, arguing that such displays encouraged hostility and division.
The Mayor’s Troubled Past
Mayor Lutfur Rahman, already a controversial figure after being removed from office in 2015 for electoral fraud and voter intimidation, now faces renewed scrutiny.
While he initially defended Palestine flags as symbols of solidarity, he later admitted removing them only after “media attacks” and public pressure.
His decision to target England flags so quickly has left many questioning whether political bias is influencing council policy.
What the Government Says About Flags
The UK government has been encouraging more flag displays, not fewer.
Updated guidance in 2021 described flags as “a very British way of expressing joy and pride,” urging councils to fly the Union Jack on government buildings year-round.
However, the rules also make clear that flags must not block signs or cause safety hazards.
Critics argue that local authorities are interpreting these rules inconsistently—using safety concerns as justification in some cases, while overlooking them in others.
Community Divisions Widening
What might have been dismissed as a symbolic gesture has instead exposed deeper cultural and political tensions.
For many, the removal of the St George’s Cross feels like an attack on British identity, while others see it as a necessary step to prevent community conflict.
The contrast in how different flags are treated only adds fuel to the fire.
What Comes Next?
The flag wars are unlikely to settle down anytime soon.
With Operation Raise the Colours gaining momentum online, more English and UK flags will likely appear across British towns in the coming weeks.
Councils, already struggling to balance safety, inclusivity, and community harmony, may face even more backlash from residents who feel their national pride is being sidelined.
Whether the government steps in to create firmer, nationwide rules—or whether local councils continue to handle the issue in their own ways—remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain: flags, once simple emblems of identity and pride, have now become lightning rods in Britain’s ongoing cultural debates.
