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.

Looks like they are getting ready for the twelfth!

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

The serial preachy types who demand constant apologies and self-flagellation have a lot to answer for. Every country has to deal with current (and past issues) and no one dares to be as disrespectful as some individuals are with the UK.

That should be rectified @apalledandshocked. I think a dragon on the flag would be brilliant.

Aye, but no-one can draw a decent dragon!

A daffodil or a leek would be easier to draw.

Isnt' the welsh flag a red on white corner to corner cross, it could be fitted in. plenty of soltaires here in Scotland - nobody whinges that it's divisive, etc

Must say the singing by the national teams at the Six Nations Rugby is inspiring. They even know the words!

@Sundances

Isnt' the welsh flag a red on white corner to corner cross, it could be fitted in. plenty of soltaires here in Scotland - nobody whinges that it's divisive, etc

No, the Welsh flag is a red dragon on a green and white field. The cross of St David is a yellow cross on a black field.

You are thinking of the cross of St Patrick.

Brings to mind The Sound of Music and Captain Von Trapp's refusal to raise the appropriate flag.

And the cross of St. Patrick is already on there!

I rather like seeing flags being flown. It cheers things up a bit and I expect the flag makers are glad of the extra business.

you can get a 3ft by 5ft Union Jack for £5.95 from Amazon.

@tangerinelollipop

Hospitals and government linked buildings have been instructed to put up the flag too

Good

I do find that sinister.

@eddiemairswife

you can get a 3ft by 5ft Union Jack for £5.95 from Amazon.

Perhaps we'll all end up with one delivered and be instructed to display it.

I find it odd a flag can create such a commotion. Most other countries I've been to its completely normal to have flags everywhere

Aren't they having them to cover up personal backgrounds up as well
Why be so offended no other country in the world would be and wouldn't bat an eyelid at it
Yet somehow here it's sinister
Like those that complained when st georges flags are up during the world cup
Get over it

I don’t think it’s appropriate in the UK where a lot of people identify more strongly with their own nations, and it’s more likely to wind people up than make them feel part of something.
Again it’s tone deaf. Not surprising really considering this Government.
And before anyone jumps in, I fucking loathe Labour too.
This recent hard on for the Union Jack in the context of the more Authoritarian measures pushed through is a bit worrying.

What so its ok for other countries but not the uk? This is the uk so its fine to fly a uk flag in the uk , people may identify with their nation but if they live in the uk it won't surprise them to see a uk flag, if they go to france they will see a french flag , wales a welsh etc etc . Its perfectly fine to see a nations flag in its own country and kind of to be expected.
My god if you go to cornwall you will also see a Cornish flag , remind me next time i go abroad to be offended by their flag

People aren't offended by flags, they're just pointing out how ridiculous it is that politicians have them in their house when appearing by video call particularly. There is no way they normally have flags on their bookshelves and it looks stupid.

perfectly fine to see a nations flag in its own country and kind of to be expected.

Most countries aren't an union with a long history of inner conflict, let's not even get into the British Empire/Commonwealth. The entire issue currently is not that the Union Jack exists, it's the excessive amount that its being deliberately displayed - especially by the right wing - under forced pretence of unity within the UK. The 'with us or against us' mentality that brings. Brexit followed by Covid has fractured the union, possibly beyond repair, all this extra UJ waving will not fix that.

There's nothing wrong with the Union Jack in general, and certainly in times of national crisis or joy the representation of the country should be there visually (I mean quite honestly it's better than having to look at any of our hapless government members). Hanging them all around the place, from hospitals to your own living room? Even long before Brexit the people who did that sort of things were considered OTT nutjobs. The same kind who collected Royal Family memorabilia and keep going on about 'THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING PROUD OF BEING BRITISH' even though no one asked....

Excessive amounts OMG you obviously haven't visited the US - flags everywhere and really good quality heavy flags on huge flagpoles- even I felt I should salute. (I'm British)

I like seeing the UJ flag. Where I live plenty of people have them flying outside and I don't think that there's anything wrong with being proud of where we live. The government folk being interviewed on TV are representing us and our country (supposedly!) so it doesn't seem unreasonable that they have the flag on display.

@Sundances

Excessive amounts OMG you obviously haven't visited the US - flags everywhere and really good quality heavy flags on huge flagpoles- even I felt I should salute. (I'm British)

And? Look how very 'united' the USA actually is, the more flag-waving it becomes. The mentality of the general American flag-waver. Not a good look, why on earth would we want to replicate that in the UK? It's embarrassing, especially when a piece of fabric becomes more important to protect than lives.

This is the uk so its fine to fly a uk flag in the uk

^This

Where are all these countries that have lots of flags flying outside people's houses and people have them on their mantelpieces? Apart from the US).

@TheExtraGuineaPig and I think thats the point to cover up personal bits as people will pick other things apart
We are a nation of wingers , i don't think it would occur to another nation to be offended
Up the rd from me someone flys a wesh flag in their garden, I live in england , but the flag doesn't bother me its their garden fly what they like , no harm done