Flying the Flag – Racism or Patriotism?
The St George’s flag has emerged as a deeply polarising symbol in modern British politics, embodying and influencing debates surrounding national identity, immigration, and race. For many individuals in the UK – especially those from minority backgrounds, migrants and asylum seekers – the flag represents not just patriotism but also a history of exclusion and racist violence.
Roundabout on Harley Shute Road
There is clearly a difference between flags being used to show support and solidarity – for another country under attack or in a sporting context – and flags that symbolise divisiveness. The British Union of Fascists in the 1930s and the National Front in the 1970s appropriated the Union Jack and St George’s flags and used them to intimidate and demarcate ‘out of bounds’ areas for ‘foreigners’. Similarly, anyone who visited Ulster in the 1970s and 80s might feel disquiet over the use of flags to mark out territory.
Currently, the St George’s flag is associated with the recent anti-immigrant protests against hotels housing asylum seekers and is linked to an online campaign, Operation Raise the Colours. According to anti-racist group, HOPE not hate, this campaign is organised by an ally of Tommy Robinson named Andrew Currien (aka Andy Saxon). They report that he was “formerly a key member of the English Defence League’s leadership bodyguard team, now running security for the far-right party Britain First”.
The Raise the Colours campaign has spread to parts of Hastings and St Leonards over the past few weeks. Flags have been popping up all over town, and the St George’s cross has been painted on roundabouts and zebra crossings in Harrow Road and St Helen’s. While some assert that they enjoy seeing the flags as a symbol of patriotism, others find them threatening and divisive – an emblem of exclusion, particularly amid recent heightened tensions regarding immigration.
It is contended that there is a direct connection between the flag campaign and an incident on the night of 22 August, when a young man was violently assaulted by a group of boys on a street in central Bexhill, after they overheard him speaking in Polish on his phone. Meanwhile, the Imam of Hastings Mosque reports that the local Islamic community is being “vigilant’ since the flags have appeared, although emphasising that the community has not experienced any overt hostility.
Mainstream media has been non-committal about the flag epidemic, and politicians appear generally unconcerned about the potential xenophobia that the flags provoke. Keir Starmer commented: “I’m proud of our flag as a patriotic symbol of our nation… I’ve got one up at home.”
Local councillors in Hastings have denounced the unauthorised use of flags, however, referring to the spray-painting on public roads and roundabouts as “flag abuse” . Cllr Andy Batsford, who represents St Helen’s Ward, criticised the official response as “weak and akin to ostrich behaviour”.
East Sussex County Council has indicated that these unauthorised displays could disrupt public safety, stating that they will be removed on a “case-by-case basis,” highlighting official attempts to regulate the use of the flag in public areas. However, efforts by contractors, community groups and individuals to remove the flags have met with hostility, leading to fears of a backlash. A spokesperson from Sussex Police noted that any reports of criminal damage or threats towards workers would be addressed through standard procedures.
Street ‘Push Back’
On Monday of this week, Hastings Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) held an emergency public meeting at the Isabel Blackman Centre in the Old Town. The stated mission was to “stop the hate, celebrate diversity and resist the far right”. SUTR not only warned of Reform and Conservative politicians calling their supporters onto the streets but also accused the Labour government of “echoing the racist rhetoric, scapegoating refugees and migrants for the social crisis caused by decades of austerity”.
Speakers at the meeting included Hastings mayor Becca Horn plus representatives of Hastings Community of Sanctuary, Trans Pride Hastings and the NEU teachers union. “Together”, the SUTR declared in advance, “we can push back and strengthen our communities”.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply