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Original poster

I took down some flags and DH wasn’t happy

1000 replies

LittleChopper · 18/09/2025 23:13

On my commute today, I noticed someone had hung three large St George flags on a bridge coming out of our village. They have been popping up everywhere but this particular instance I thought “I’m not having that”. On the way home I pulled over and took them down.

when I got home and DH asked why I was binning three large flags I told him and he.. had some interesting opinions. He told me I shouldn’t be pissing off people in the village, that they have every right to hang an England flag in England, and that I’m being too political.

For a start, I would argue that I’ve always been quite strongly opinionated so he shouldn’t be surprised I did it.

Just as others have the right to their opinion I have mine. We have people in the village who are migrants… why should they have to look at that. It’s clear why they were hanging there given what’s going on at the moment and I’ve never see a flag hanging in the village in the decade we’ve been here so why else would they be there now.

I’m just so disappointed with it all. With the UK, with DH.

Next time maybe I’ll add to the collection instead. 🇬🇷🇮🇪🇮🇳🇦🇫🇧🇸🇵🇰🇪🇸🇸🇩🇿🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

OP posts:
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20
ThreeLocusts · 19/09/2025 05:04

LittleChopper · 18/09/2025 23:54

It’s like a child giving you the finger and saying “but it’s just my finger” 🤣

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You made me laugh there OP, which is an achievement with this topic. It's all o disheartening. Your DH needs to grow a pair.

Next time I'd leave the flags by the roadside so nobody can say you stole them. And DH won't know.

hhtddbkoygv · 19/09/2025 05:05

Thank you OP.
Wish I could do the same but ours are way too high!

Lemonandorangecheescake · 19/09/2025 05:06

AngelicKaty · 19/09/2025 05:02

No, because they're not weaponising them to intimidate migrants.

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I think you have such a naive, blinkered and ignorant way of thinking. Thankfully you're in the minority,

Onegingerhead · 19/09/2025 05:06

Can I comment as a migrant? I think a migrant’s perspective is important, and I admit I carefully read Flag’s threads, scanning for such views.
I’ve lived in this country for over 20 years, having ultimately stayed on after completing my degree. I love many things about the UK, and most of the people I’ve met have been kind and lovely. I’ve worked full time ever since graduating and have always paid my taxes. I don’t think I’ve ever sponged off the system (though I do admit to using the NHS).

I genuinely — though I could be mistaken — believe that most people putting up flags or painting the roundabout don’t mean any harm. Some are being manipulated, some are simply following a trend, and some just feel the urge to show pride in being English. Yes, there will always be a few “go back to your country” types among the flag-fliers, but I don’t believe the majority fall into that category.

Do I feel threatened by the flag? Not yet. Do I feel sad? No. People are entitled to their opinions.
But my whole life is here, and if I were ultimately forced to leave, it would be devastating.

AngelicKaty · 19/09/2025 05:06

EdithBond · 19/09/2025 04:32

I totally understand why people are stressed and angry.

The 2011 ‘austerity’ cuts are still being applied 14 years later. Pulling out of the EU has affected the economy as it’s now not so easy to trade with our closest neighbours and goods have to be shipped from halfway across the world. People have survived a pandemic and are still feeling its aftershocks. For decades, politicians have moved us from manufacturing things to a ‘service’ economy, which is now being replacing by AI. And capitalist private ownership of essentials like homes, energy, food etc - with energy companies and supermarkets making huge profits - is screwing everyone over. The last government gave away billions of our hard-earned taxes to the already-rich, including via COVID ‘fast lane’ contracts. Disaster capitalism.

That’s where people’s anger should be directed. Not at the tiny minority of immigrants (around 10%) who are refugees. Can’t you see people are being tricked into blaming the wrong people, while the real ‘enemy within’ keep making more money than they can ever spend. And in fact, don’t even spend it in our economy. It gets taken off-shore or hoarded in assets. We should be protesting, waving our flag (if you must) and saying ‘we want our country back’ outside big corporations, who are ripping us off to make more money for their shareholders.

It’s a long-standing trick that the rich try to divide the working class to deflect scrutiny. Then sit back in their mansions with a bag of popcorn. Don’t be fooled.

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Absolutely nailed it. Yet still people get taken in.

decenteringmen · 19/09/2025 05:07

Just wanted to say you are bloody brilliant!

sandgrown · 19/09/2025 05:12

I live in a cul de sac. Someone has put a flag up high up a telegraph pole . I am offended as it makes our street appear racist and I don’t need someone to speak for me! If I could reach it would be down .

BeanQuisine · 19/09/2025 05:15

Your DH sounds like a cowardy custard, too timid to stand up to the ninny Nigel and his wannabe blackshirts.

Good on you for showing more pluck!

Lemonandorangecheescake · 19/09/2025 05:15

sandgrown · 19/09/2025 05:12

I live in a cul de sac. Someone has put a flag up high up a telegraph pole . I am offended as it makes our street appear racist and I don’t need someone to speak for me! If I could reach it would be down .

So it's ok for you to take it down, but then wouldn't you also be "speaking for others' by doing so?

OhNoNotSusan · 19/09/2025 05:20

good for you, i would like to do the same op

RingoJuice · 19/09/2025 05:22

LittleChopper · 18/09/2025 23:13

On my commute today, I noticed someone had hung three large St George flags on a bridge coming out of our village. They have been popping up everywhere but this particular instance I thought “I’m not having that”. On the way home I pulled over and took them down.

when I got home and DH asked why I was binning three large flags I told him and he.. had some interesting opinions. He told me I shouldn’t be pissing off people in the village, that they have every right to hang an England flag in England, and that I’m being too political.

For a start, I would argue that I’ve always been quite strongly opinionated so he shouldn’t be surprised I did it.

Just as others have the right to their opinion I have mine. We have people in the village who are migrants… why should they have to look at that. It’s clear why they were hanging there given what’s going on at the moment and I’ve never see a flag hanging in the village in the decade we’ve been here so why else would they be there now.

I’m just so disappointed with it all. With the UK, with DH.

Next time maybe I’ll add to the collection instead. 🇬🇷🇮🇪🇮🇳🇦🇫🇧🇸🇵🇰🇪🇸🇸🇩🇿🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Why should migrants have to look at the flag of the region they migrated to!!!!!!!

😆😆😆😆😆

boredonthefence · 19/09/2025 05:30

OP how do you know it wasn’t the migrants in your village that put up the flags?

There were plenty of black, brown and migrant people on the march on Saturday, are they all racists too?

MinnieBaldock · 19/09/2025 05:36

I worked in a multi cultral buisness and Mrs May was visiting it was after Brexit but we were told not to put the st George's flag up but the Euro flag was put up and nothing was said about it. When she arrived she was booed by the mostly foreign staff. I must admit I was very angry. I'm glad there are flags going up. We have been ashamed of our flag for too long and been told not to fly it, but people have had enough and are hitting back. This is England and flying our flag isn't racist it's patriotic and if your ashamed then I'm sorry for you.

clotheslinefiasco · 19/09/2025 05:43

ThatNiftyBlueSwan · 18/09/2025 23:20

Why should migrants not want to look at English flags ?? I really do not understand why you would say that - they have risked their lives to come to live in England!!

Aye - sure.

@LittleChopper well done - your 'D'H sounds like a bit of a wanker.

Deargodletitgo · 19/09/2025 05:50

I'm a immigrant living in the UK and the sudden flags everywhere in my village saddens me because I feel like it's a clear statement of division and dislike for people like me (although I have been told as I'm white I'm ok to be here 🙄).

When I first arrived i didn't understand that for what ever reason the England flag is seen as being supportive of right wing politics, in a way that the Union Jack or other flags aren't. To suddenly act coy about that is bollocks, we all know what the message these people are trying to send.

If all ours weren't up flagpoles I'd be taking them down too

My DD has already had teenagers making jokes about getting immigrants out and using the N word, this garbage seems to be on the rise

Autumnpug7 · 19/09/2025 05:54

Why would migrants be offended looking at a British flag ..they are in Britain
If you were in their country,would you be offended looking at their flag ...I guess you would as that's why you took them down .
That's a sad attitude to have

Thepeopleversuswork · 19/09/2025 05:58

Simone6178 · 18/09/2025 23:35

Do gooders being offended on behalf of others is never a good look.

I’d advise DH to leave you.

Well you sound nice…

Thepeopleversuswork · 19/09/2025 05:58

Well done. I’m with you.

QueenofFox · 19/09/2025 06:03

Well done. Flag shaggers are bullies. I wouldn’t allow my kids tolerate this in the playground.

Fimofriend · 19/09/2025 06:06

LunaShadow · 18/09/2025 23:16

Why does an English flag in England offend you? I live in Cornwall and there’s plenty of Cornish and English flags around. I’m currently waiting for DH to put up our flagpole (purchased in April for his birthday).

You know very well why those flags suddenly popped up. Don't be disingenuous.

Cruc · 19/09/2025 06:08

Obeseandashamed · 18/09/2025 23:55

I love the idea of adding other flags!!

Yeah you should do that next time OP!

thepariscrimefiles · 19/09/2025 06:08

It's absolutely clear from the conduct of the attendees and the speakers at 'Unite the Kingdom' rally that the flags aren't about patriotism and loving our country but are about hatred and division.

WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 19/09/2025 06:09

I'm the grandchild of immigrants, two of whom came to the UK with no papers.

The abundance of flags in my town don't make me feel afraid for my personal safety.

They do, however make me afraid for my friend's safety. She's also 3rd generation from immigrant grandparents.

I've never, ever been told to "go home". She had an arsehole shout this at her the other week.

What's the difference?

I'm white, she's brown.

The flags aren't about patriotism or even a sensible conversation about immigration. It"s racism, pure and simple.

Those of you putting up flags are being used. It's campaign of hatred stirred up by billionaires and TR for their own reasons, not because they give a fuck about you, I can promise you they don't.

Maray1967 · 19/09/2025 06:12

mumofoneAloneandwell · 18/09/2025 23:36

Drove past the town i grew up in yesterday

So many flags up, I dunno why but I was shocked

So glad i moved dd away from there. Scary

More power to you girl 💓

Agreed. There is not a single one around where I live in Liverpool so I haven’t needed to get the ladders out. There will be loads up when it’s the World Cup etc, as there always are. But thankfully not because a bunch of vile racists have launched a campaign.

RampantIvy · 19/09/2025 06:12

Fizbosshoes · 18/09/2025 23:21

The lampposts/bridges that folks hang the flags from are generally not their own private property. If they're not committing a crime hanging them up, then surely the reverse is true, that its not an offence to remove them?

DH and I drove through an area the other day where just about every lamppost for 2 or 3 miles on a non residential A road, had flags hanging from it. We were wondering how they attached them so high up

Edited

Was this in Castleford?
I was there last week, and the road between the M62 and Xscape is a sea of England flags.

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