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Flying the flag

(538 Posts)
varian Sat 20-Mar-21 13:51:47

Does the display of union jacks by politicians making video calls from their homes not just appear ridiculous, but a tad sinister?

www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/19/flag-of-convenience-why-ministers-cant-get-enough-of-the-union-jack

PippaZ Sun 21-Mar-21 16:59:32

Bodach Sun 21-Mar-21 16:08:34
Having looked at the list myself, I have to agree with Mr Malmer. Stalin's Soviet Union ticked just about all of the boxes...

Sorry Bodach, I should have read down but yes,as I posted in reply to Pantglas2 - hence left-wing or leftist fascism [Jürgen Habermas and Irving Louis Horowitz].

MaizieD Sun 21-Mar-21 17:01:53

NellG

GG13 Wow, I didn't realise you were five and had to be spoken down to like that. ?

She does when she is being deliberately obtuse.

My post had nothing whatsoever to do with the 2019 GE. It had to do with the fact that there are more voters who don't support the flag waving tories than there are voters who do.

'We win' was reference to the last resort of Leave voters when they can't tell us how Brexit is benefitting us grin

At least Pippa 'got' it.

lemongrove Sun 21-Mar-21 17:09:42

Any answers about the Welsh and Scottish flags and if they are acceptable to you MaizieD ??

Nell the speaking down is usually done when the poster doing it feels rattled.

NellG Sun 21-Mar-21 17:11:02

Maizie It wasn't in reference to your post.

Pantglas2 Sun 21-Mar-21 17:13:16

“Sorry Bodach, I should have read down but yes,as I posted in reply to Pantglas2 - hence left-wing or leftist fascism [Jürgen Habermas and Irving Louis Horowitz].”

Yes Pippa I’d read that definition/opinion and others
simply calling communism nanny state totalitarianism. A rose by any other name...

GrannyRose15 Sun 21-Mar-21 17:15:49

"It had to do with the fact that there are more voters who don't support the flag waving tories than there are voters who do."

That is perhaps the case, but flag waving is not just for the Tories - it is for everyone who thinks this country has something to shout about.

lemongrove Sun 21-Mar-21 17:25:18

foxie48

Just to clarify, we've had lots of times when the winning party has had less than 50% of the votes, therefore by some people's opinion, not democratic. In 1974, Wilson had a 4 seat majority but actually got fewer votes than the Conservatives and at 37% of the votes, it meant 63% of those who voted, voted for another party. I didn't stop him governing for another four years. I think if I looked I could probably find pictures of every PM regardless of political affiliation standing or sitting in front of a Union Jack. When they are in government, like it or not, they are representing every person in Great Britain.

Yes, all true ( but not accepted so far on here by the few.)

MaizieD Sun 21-Mar-21 17:25:38

That is perhaps the case, but flag waving is not just for the Tories - it is for everyone who thinks this country has something to shout about.

I just love the way everyone is completely missing the point.

Though, TBH, with the most corrupt government in my lifetime led by a lying charlatan bent on lining the pockets of his cronies and donors and presiding over the worst covid death rate in Europe caused by his own incompetence, I don't find a good deal to be proud of in my country at the moment.

And perhaps you flag lovers would like to comment on the Tory MP who thinks that people who don't worship the Union Jack should move to another country...

MaizieD Sun 21-Mar-21 17:28:22

NellG

Maizie It wasn't in reference to your post.

What was it in reference to, then?

GrannyRose15 Sun 21-Mar-21 17:29:06

How many more times do you need to be told that the 80 seat majority does not represent the majority of the voters. The Tories had 43.6% of the popular vote. In my book tht is not a majority.

But it is a win. And you wouldn't be complaining if the vote had gone the other way, would you?

MaizieD Sun 21-Mar-21 17:32:16

I think if I looked I could probably find pictures of every PM regardless of political affiliation standing or sitting in front of a Union Jack. When they are in government, like it or not, they are representing every person in Great Britain.

Go on then, foxie. Find some.

The thing is, the flag is being used for broadcasting to a domestic audience. Well, blow me down, do you really think that the people in the UK who are being addressed don't know that the government represents all of them?

This is insane.

GrannyRose15 Sun 21-Mar-21 17:33:01

MaizieD

^That is perhaps the case, but flag waving is not just for the Tories - it is for everyone who thinks this country has something to shout about.^

I just love the way everyone is completely missing the point.

Though, TBH, with the most corrupt government in my lifetime led by a lying charlatan bent on lining the pockets of his cronies and donors and presiding over the worst covid death rate in Europe caused by his own incompetence, I don't find a good deal to be proud of in my country at the moment.

And perhaps you flag lovers would like to comment on the Tory MP who thinks that people who don't worship the Union Jack should move to another country...

No I haven't missed the point.

The OP asked,

"Does the display of union jacks by politicians making video calls from their homes not just appear ridiculous, but a tad sinister?"

The answer is No and No.

lemongrove Sun 21-Mar-21 17:33:17

...and perhaps one of you flag haters would like to comment on how you feel about the Welsh and Scottish leaders standing or sitting next to their country’s flag?
The silence is deafening.
Not that I need to be told... everything is acceptable am thinking, except the English or Union flags, especially if the Conservatives happen to be in power.It’s so transparent.
Perhaps somebody should tell Starmer not to stand too close to a Union flag in case any Labour members object to a ‘fascist object’.

MaizieD Sun 21-Mar-21 17:33:27

GrannyRose15

^How many more times do you need to be told that the 80 seat majority does not represent the majority of the voters. The Tories had 43.6% of the popular vote. In my book tht is not a majority.^

But it is a win. And you wouldn't be complaining if the vote had gone the other way, would you?

Oh, FGS....

Lucca Sun 21-Mar-21 17:36:41

lemongrove

...and perhaps one of you flag haters would like to comment on how you feel about the Welsh and Scottish leaders standing or sitting next to their country’s flag?
The silence is deafening.
Not that I need to be told... everything is acceptable am thinking, except the English or Union flags, especially if the Conservatives happen to be in power.It’s so transparent.
Perhaps somebody should tell Starmer not to stand too close to a Union flag in case any Labour members object to a ‘fascist object’.

A. I don’t think anyone is a flag hater.

B. I think the giant flag in the sitting room is daft be it Union jack Saltire welsh dragon or whatever.

That opinion does not make me unpatriotic or mean that I don’t “love my country “.

PippaZ Sun 21-Mar-21 17:38:21

lemongrove Sun 21-Mar-21 16:53:39

On this list everything falls into the analysis carried out and refered to in earlier posts. I have extracted the relevant "recognisable patterns".

1. It’s our own flag and high time we saw it more.
From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious.

2. Now that we have left the EU it’s a time to think about the UK and promote it.
The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people's attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions.

3.^After an awful year with Covid, it’s a symbol to rally around.^
Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism.

4. With the SNP badgering for another referendum it’s a message that we have been in union with them for a very long time.
Often the regimes would incite spontaneous acts against the target scapegoats, usually ... ethnic and racial minorities,

As for the, I'm Backing Britain Campaign people worked for half an hour for free didn't they and employers rubbed their hands with glee. Eventually, it fell into chaos and the government withdrew its support.

You may find it strange but many people have a more normal view of their country, they love it, are upset by what is done badly and take pride in what we do well while knowing others do well too and that we are all part of the human race, not just "British" They don't need to wrap themselves in a Union Jack to prove anything.

GrannyGravy13 Sun 21-Mar-21 17:44:06

Direct answer to OP

A MP displaying the Union Flag whilst taking part in an interview, whether it be in the office or the office/room used at home during Covid is neither ridiculous or a tad sinister

GagaJo Sun 21-Mar-21 17:45:19

It's only deafening lemongrove, because people have lost interest.

Plus, I haven't seen flag haters on here. Just those wishing for a bit of decorum.

lemongrove Sun 21-Mar-21 17:48:51

I find your comments laughable PippaZ when applied to the UK.
We are not, and never will become a fascist regime, indeed we are not a regime at all, but a democracy in which no doubt
Starmer will be the next PM.
Your views of what are ‘normal’ btw ( view of our country) are certainly not as mainstream as you think since the majority of posters are fine with displaying the flag in ministers offices.

Lucca at least you have answered to say that you find any flags from England Scotland or Wales ( with politicians) as
‘Daft’. It’s a view.?

PippaZ Sun 21-Mar-21 17:48:59

lemongrove

Any answers about the Welsh and Scottish flags and if they are acceptable to you MaizieD ??

Nell the speaking down is usually done when the poster doing it feels rattled.

Is Maizie Scottish and/or Welsh?

Nell the speaking down is usually done when the poster doing it feels rattled.
Or when someone is posting with no sense of critical thinking or logic. It's really, really rude and unkind (as some of you would say). It is a form of bad manners that's for certain.

lemongrove Sun 21-Mar-21 17:51:16

GagaJo

It's only deafening lemongrove, because people have lost interest.

Plus, I haven't seen flag haters on here. Just those wishing for a bit of decorum.

Nope....they just don’t want to say that the Welsh flag or Scottish one shouldn’t be on display when the Welsh or Scottish Leaders are speaking.

NellG Sun 21-Mar-21 17:51:50

My surprise at someone using the sentence "How many more times do you need to be told " to a grown woman Maizie.

MayBee70 Sun 21-Mar-21 17:53:34

The problem is the Union Jack was taken over by the BNP etc years ago and it’s very difficult to get away from that. In fact I don’t think we ever will.

growstuff Sun 21-Mar-21 17:54:07

lemongrove

I find your comments laughable PippaZ when applied to the UK.
We are not, and never will become a fascist regime, indeed we are not a regime at all, but a democracy in which no doubt
Starmer will be the next PM.
Your views of what are ‘normal’ btw ( view of our country) are certainly not as mainstream as you think since the majority of posters are fine with displaying the flag in ministers offices.

Lucca at least you have answered to say that you find any flags from England Scotland or Wales ( with politicians) as
‘Daft’. It’s a view.?

How do you know the UK won't become a fascist regime? Do you have a crystal ball? It's certainly going in the right direction.

growstuff Sun 21-Mar-21 17:55:40

BTW In case, you hadn't realised, GN posters don't represent a cross-section of the population.