What's With the Flags

[projuicehealth]

It seems every minister who is interviewed on TV has a Union Jack flag in the background.
AIBU to think there is something a little more sinister to this than a sign of being patriotic? I wonder and worry about subliminal brain washing / hypnosis.
I'm concerned that all ministers are going along with it, are they afraid not to?
Johnson did very well keep repeating the mantra "Get Brexit Done" without much substance of how, why or implications.
I wonder if there is more concern about the break up of the United Kingdom in the government and the flags are a visual symbol of our unity, real or imagined.

[LakieLady]

Flying the flag on public buildings only used to be done on a few days a year, eg Queen's birthday, so it's not something we've been used to.

I'm afraid that all this flag exhibitionism reminds me of National Front marches back in the 80s. It makes me feel uncomfortable. And I don't need a flag to show that I love my country.

[Roussette]

It's pathetic. Since the UJ was hijacked by the likes of Britain First, I don't feel the same.

And as for this... Robert Jenrick with a massive portrait of the Queen on his wall as well as the UJ...
When I saw it live I thought it was a picture of his Nan !! It was only when I saw a comment online I realised it was the queen

And Little Matty Hancock had a huge plate with the Queen on as well as UJs.
I hate things that are all so contrived to appeal to the DM readers and to draw attention away from what they are doing.

[BrumBoo]

@Susie477

The Tories are wrapping themselves in the Union Jack because they know that lefties can’t help themselves sneering at it and can’t help themselves sneering at the people who take pride in it.

This sneering, the Tories believe, will repel patriotic working class voters who don’t hate their own country and don’t hate their own flag, making them more likely to decide that the Conservative party represents their values.

It's ironic how we're are all meant to 'come together' by using tactics that cause further division, insular ideologies, and ultimately harmful Conservative politics that cause the more personal problems to those 'working class' who think love a flag = love a country (and the opposite also being true). Nationalism never ends well, or gains respect on a global level.

[CuthbertDibbleandGrubb]

Ironic that the people who have done so much to damage the integrity of the UK should be having the flag in the background. The government of Mr Johnson is a gift to the cause of Scottish independence, and sold Ulster Unionists down the river with the Brexit trade deal.

[LagunaBubbles]

The Tories are rattled by the prospect of Scottish independence, which is looking more and more likely. If Scotland was such a drain on the UK finances as some people believe then they would be happy to see us go. So out come the Union Jacks as May gets closer.

[Upamountain43]

@Knitterbabe
Well, if it’s such a shit place, vote with your feet

I assume you are really happy then to welcome all the people to our country who feel their homeland is a shit place and are voting with their feet?

[QwertyGirly]

Oh sorry if I'm a guest in YOUR country, I'll make sure I consult you on how to vote during next elections.

[DdraigGoch]

[quote BrumBoo]@DdraigGoch, again it's not the same thing. Let's not pretend that MPs giving Zoom interviews with the UJ prominently displayed behind them is typical, or not an attempt at a 'we all love being British DONT WE' ideology. If it's something and nothing, why are the BBC and their journalists finding themselves in trouble over not follow suit/questioning it in general?[/quote]
But this thread isn't about backbenchers, it's about government ministers.

Why would BBC journalists be questioning it anyway? As I said, it's completely normal in other countries and the devolved nations. Why is displaying the Union Flag such a remarkable thing when it's unremarkable to plaster cities in Saltires/Red Dragons/Tricolours/Stars and Stripes/Circle of Stars?

[DdraigGoch]

@Lalliella

They’re trying to convince us that the UK is a fab country to be proud of, when actually it’s the shit-end of nowhere after Brexit.

I'm sitting looking out of my bedroom window looking at the sea on this gloriously sunny day and am quite content with life in the UK, thank you.

[BrumBoo]

But this thread isn't about backbenchers, it's about government ministers.

It's about MPs being interviewed with the flags deliberately and unnaturally placed all over the place. It's pushing a nationalist idealism, a Great British one at that which doesn't bode well for individualism of the countries that make up the UK. Of course it's noticeable and divisive. It's why it's happening that's the issue, rather than the flag itself.

We've just come out of the Trump era, surely we should learn something from it? There's nothing wrong with loving your country, but flag-waving patriotism is not a way to be taken seriously. I'm in no way religious, but I do share the Christian ideology about pride. In excessive amounts, it certainly isn't healthy or has the desired effects I'm sure this government is going for. It can be very blinding, and enough people are already deluded about the positive identification of 'being British'. Especially when it comes to some denial/rose-tinted glasses view of our history.

[tangerinelollipop]

Bangladeshi or Polish or any other nationality living in the UK

Why don't you try and dictate to any of these people that their own national identities are blurry, they should be eroded and that their countries are no good. I don't think that will go down well, will it?

[tangerinelollipop]

gains respect on a global level

Why do you seem so fixated on 'the global level'? Try and exercise some self-respect at home first.

[tangerinelollipop]

We've just come out of the Trump era

Why are you referring to Trump? We are in the UK, in case you haven't noticed.

[BrumBoo]

@tangerinelollipop

We've just come out of the Trump era

Why are you referring to Trump? We are in the UK, in case you haven't noticed.

It's almost like in the modern day, international politics and left/right wing ideologies have further reaching consequences than they used to. When people turn away from/look unfavourably on powerhouses like the USA for reasons of nationalistic politics, of course something can be learned from it. Especially when we've dropped from being a powerhouses country to one that needs to completely rebuild international trade.

[BrumBoo]

Why do you seem so fixated on 'the global level'?

Do you want our country to have any voice and power in the world? Because at the moment, politically speaking, we are a floating turd with a little Union Jack sticking out of the top. In a few months time no one will give a shit about our vaccine rollout, and everything that was a shitstorm about Brexit will be coming right back around. That's on top of the Covid economy crisis were facing. 'We're so British and great, we don't need anyone else' is a fucking dumb way of running a country.

[DdraigGoch]

@LakieLady

Flying the flag on public buildings only used to be done on a few days a year, eg Queen's birthday, so it's not something we've been used to.

I'm afraid that all this flag exhibitionism reminds me of National Front marches back in the 80s. It makes me feel uncomfortable. And I don't need a flag to show that I love my country.

I used to see the EU flag everywhere. Sometimes a literal flag, other times a picture in the corner of a sign. The EU was always very keen on shouting about things it had funded, why shouldn't the UK government do the same?

Nowadays of course there are rings of stars on profile pictures all over Facebook. Can I go around calling them "flag-shaggers"?

[Roussette]

Totally agree BrumBoo

Although I love England, I once said on a thread ages ago, the sooner we realise we are actually just a poxy little island with ideas above it's station, the better.
My arse was handed to me on a plate with the usual... 'just leave then'.

No thanks. Don't want to live. I always want to strive to make this country better, thanks.

But we need to remember, the days of the British Empire are gone. We've shot ourselves in the foot, the kneecaps and everywhere else with Brexit and we are going through a big identity crisis. As much as the Ministers with their stupid pathetic flags think that helps, no. It doesn't. It makes things worse.
They are all too happy to break a promise about NHS wage increases but insist that every hospital now has a Union jack flying from it

[Roussette]

Don't want to leave

[DioneTheDiabolist]

I'm fine with the flag behind ministers when they are talking government business. Here in NI they're put on lampposts to mark territory, like dog piss.

[tangerinelollipop]

one that needs to completely rebuild international trade

And we will rebuild it. Thankfully there are many intelligent and resourceful people in the UK with a can-do, positive attitude (unlike those who spend most of their time on Facebook and Twitter)

[Knitterbabe]

[quote Upamountain43]@Knitterbabe
Well, if it’s such a shit place, vote with your feet

I assume you are really happy then to welcome all the people to our country who feel their homeland is a shit place and are voting with their feet?[/quote]
Would you not? Are you ... a Brexiteer??

[Ifailed]

The Union flag brings back memories of this.

[eddiemairswife]

Before Covid most MPs were interviewed in TV studios or on College Green, but in their own homes they like to 'express' themselves. Hence the flags, and the carefully arranged books on the shelves behind them

[MrsTophamHat]

I think sadly, to a degree the St George's flag in particular has been appropriated by far right groups, and so it holds connotations that for instance, the Welsh flag does not. The England flag does look a bit off unless there's a football tournament on.

I don't necessarily think the use of flags is sinister, but there are people in this country who look at other nations and how proud they are when sometimes, being British and English in particular is a bit apologetic somehow.

[apalledandshocked]

@BrumBoo

The union flag is a symbol of unity, containing as it does the flags of England (which includes the incorporated principality of Wales)

Wales is a country, please don't be so rude. Bad enough we don't get representation on your 'British' flag.

Of topic, but I have always been annoyed that the Wlesh flag isnt included in the Union Jack. We had the opportunity to have a flag with a DRAGON on it FFS and for some reason decided no. Grrrr.