What do you think of the flags?

[Latesummersunset]

Apologies if this has been done already.

I live in one of the areas where the flags were started. We couldn’t understand what they were for until it popped up in the news. Apparently the councils are going to be taking them down.

I don’t really have much of an opinion either way but my concern is that they’ll soon become tatty, fall down and leave a mess everywhere. But it seems lots of people are loving them. They do look quite cheery at the moment.

What do people think?

Yabu - they are a mess/racist/health and safety hazard

Yanbu - they are cheerful and patriotic. Keep them

Exactly - they don’t do anything that actually supports their community in a positive way

If you want an honest answer, I think it's a reflection on how out of touch the more liberal left wing are from how many people feel in the UK today.

I think people know they will be attacked for offering their opinions (as proved by this thread). The callous insults are only coming from one group. So they say nothing. That's how resentment breeds and grows.

We need balance. No extreme left , no extreme right. Just balance. I don't think we've got that at the minute. Calling others names and shutting conversations down with "racist" will not help matters.

Nobody should be openly racist. It's wrong.

It's also wrong to hurl racist accusations and vitriol at people that want to fly the flag of their country.

But it CAN be flown, on your own property.

But nobody wanted to until suddenly the news was full of stories about asylum seekers.

SUCH a coincidence.

No issue with flags. I do have an issue with people putting them up purely for racist reasons. I drove through a village in Surrey last week, and saw someone with a sign saying something about boats, while beside someone else putting up a flag. That is different to patriotism.

Raise The Flag is a Tommy Robinson campaign (anyone else say his name in Cartman’s voice?) - he’s not a nice peaceful human but a convicted thug with right wing views - so it’s not the flag so much as the campaign - it’s not peaceful or unpolitical or inclusive - it’s just not

I agree. I think there are some people that do use the Union Jack for racist intentions, but I think they’re very much in the minority. Or the amount of support for Tommy Robinson on his street protests suggest that’s the case - not many supporters there, probably a few hundred. So why should the majority, who want to fly it to show pride in her country, be penalised for the actions of a few? I’ve loved seeing the Union Jack come to life during these last few weeks.

I think @chickenlettuceunderbacon post is very balanced.

I think their intent is racist, I am still waiting for the police to remove them.

Tommy Robinson is the pricks prick.
Nothing good ever comes out of that fuckers mouth.
It's all about fanning the flame's of division.

Mind someone is making a killing selling those nylon flags.
It would be funny if the supplier's weren't white 🤣🤣

Bingo card full. 👌

I had a wee look. Seems most Union flags on sale, originate in China. Even those sold by UK sellers.

I have seen British made Union flags, but they're nothing like those being erected up lampposts.

I just think they’re unnecessary.

I don’t see the point of flying your own flag, in your own country, during peace time. Unless it’s a govt building, in which case fine.

I just feel like the default is that you are English (if in England, or Scottish, Welsh, NI in those countries) and generally in favour of that country/ the Uk.

So I guess then my brain goes to, well what more than that are you trying to convey with your flag - which I guess is where it become controversial.

But that’s your personal opinion? Some will agree with you, many won’t. If you don’t see the point in flying them, that’s fine, but obviously we’re all different and some things are important to some people, and not to others, in all aspects of life.

I had a genuine union flag on my bedroom wall over 40 years ago it was cloth and rough in texture.
I had it because I was a Mod scooter, clothes etc.
I liberated the flag from the local scout hut... naughty.

I think the fact that a certain segment of the population has been going around telling people that flags are bad, racist, etc, makes a lot of other people feel like their own cultural identity is being suppressed and vilified, and so they tend to become more interested in putting up flags than they were before.

It's like telling people they can't wear tartan or speak their cradle tongue. It has the opposite of the effect the person trying to prevent the thing wants.

Are you flying one from your house?

See attached.

That's absolutely priceless 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤤🤣

Claiming something is part of your cultural identity when you don't know which way up to fly it is a bit odd. The flag just isn't part of cultural identity in this country. That may be a problem and should change, but as it stands, it isn't.

How many people in the current wave of flag flyers know its history, traditions, how to fly it or even it's correct name ?

I’m fine with anyone flying flags. I’m very proud of my English (and Italian) heritage and it’s lovely to see people take a joy in where they’re from. I find it odd that people jump to the assumption of racism and can’t bear the self deprivation some people have about being English.

But the pests painting roundabouts can feck off. It’s just so cringe. I just look and think “behave yourself and stop vandalising the road”.

What's an Eisteddfod?

Cultural local festival of music and arts

Sorry but I disagree. Also in Scotland and I’ve been shocked by the attitude of many in my town.

The Brexit import fee, is perfection. ✨

Prevalence of flag-flying varies quite a lot by country, the Scandinavians are very into it, but others (England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany) much less so.

There's very little stopping its display in England, other than public reluctance of disinterest.

It's not a recent thing either, people act as if its linked with recent re-evaluation of the Empire, but flag-flying has never been a widespread cultural practice, like it is elsewhere.

It is a shame that its become associated with far right groups, and I have no objection at all to people wanting to reclaim it, but I strongly suspect ill-intent behind the recent stunt, and I very much do not get the sense its designed to bring people together in celebrating the flag.