Flying the flag

Well done Blossoming ? I’m afraid I don’t understand the argument against being proud of your national flag and the displaying thereof.

I visited the Llangollen international eisteddfod as a child and was delighted to see all the colourful national flags and costumes so don’t see them as threatening at all.

It is sometimes claimed that the Union Flag should be described as the Union Jack only when flown in the bows of a warship, but this is a relatively recent idea. From its earliest days, the Admiralty often referred to the flag – however it was used – as the Union Jack. In 1902 an Admiralty Circular announced that either name could be used officially. And in 1908 the UK Parliament approved this verdict, stating that ‘the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag’.

It does have a bit of a 'product placement' feel and is clearly deliberate. My concern is why - it's not something that has been done traditionally here, yet as other s have pointed out is no big issue in other countries. I don't think at this stage that it's heralding the onset of an intractable fascist regime, but it may well be some symbolic nationalist posturing in the wake of Brexit - or maybe it's to let the SNP know they have naff all chance of another referendum! ? In all honesty I'm tending towards just a transparent 'Rule Britannia ' jag.

Greyduster

^not just appear ridiculous but a tad sinister^. I think what is sinister is that there are those who think that our national flag is an object of derision and ridicule.

Thinking about that, yes, it s Greyduster.
Other countries have pride in their flags, it is time to reclaim ours.
It is also time to reclaim the English flag from the far right. They do not own it.

Woe betide them if they have the temerity to display the English flag!
Never mind they may be supporting England in the Six Nations even if they won't win.

? ?????????????????????

Pantglas2 I celebrate St. Andrew’s, St. David’s and St. George’s Day. Also Lancashire Day. Any excuse for cake

Aaah yes ‘appropriate’ flag use!

All those furriners flying them all day, every day...we could go around the world and educate them - oh wait, we tried that didn’t we!

We’d like to celebrate St George’s day but somehow our flag has become lost in the mire of anti-English feeling Pantglas. It’s next month & Himself and I were discussing it today. We both agree that to display one on our balcony would not be a good idea, sadly. It’s been hijacked by football thugs and lager louts on foreign holidays. Which is such a shame really. Can it ever be re-civilised?

It isn't being anti flag, though, is it? We are saying, appropriate flag use. Not reducing the symbolism of the flat to a petty political point. Used on the right occasion, flying the flag is wonderful. Deeply symbolic and important.

Pantgla what do you think. I think some of them would rather stick pins in their eyes ?

Gagajo. Your view is precisely why non-Trump supporters started the ‘Reclaim The Flag’ movement ?

All you anti flag folks - will you celebrate or denigrate St. George’s Day?

And, I thought Naga and Charlie were very sneery to Robert Jenrick!

I thought so too kitty - I switched BBC Breakfast off a long time ago and can’t stand Charlie or Naga. They were on Saturday Kitchen a few weeks ago and were rude and arrogant on that too and totally ruined it.

If we are pointing to the US as an example, flag flyers there ARE frequently the most racist, extreme examples Americans. Not for nothing were some of Trumps supporters holding flags when they stormed the Capital.

Do we REALLY need a flag to remind us of our Britishness? I certainly don't, not even when I am not living in the UK.

It is weird, flying a flag when it isn't any sort of occasion. Next we'll be requiring children to sing Rule bl**dy Britannia at school in assembly. IF normal school life ever resumes, that is.

MaizieD I’m assuming you’re talking specifically about the Union Jack? The Welsh fly the national flag at every opportunity, it’s everywhere today, on buildings and many hanging out of people’s windows, out of cars etc etc. this isn’t new, it’s always been like this - not anti British, just proud Welsh.

Urmstongran

^The tories are pushing this 'super patriotism' as a purely political ploy and it is straight out of the fascist playbook. It's got very little to do with actual patriotism, it's more to do with singling out people who won't play along with it and calling them traitors. It's about winding up 'the mob'. How soon before people who don't display a union flag on their property have their windows smashed for being disloyal to the state?^

What hyperbolic nonsense MaizieD!
?

Straight out of the fascist playbook, Ug.

Do you actually know anything about fascism? We are well on the way.

But, of course, learning from history is not terribly fashionable at the moment.

Trisha57
But it’s only the Royal Navy ships.

Apologies for my misnaming Trisha but I think it’s sad that in England flying a flag is perceived as a case for mockery. Here in Wales, our flag brings a smile regardless of politics ??????? which is as it should be in every country IMO.

Flags are divisive unless they are used for recognition in sports. I agree that they are nationalistic and can be dangerous. I used to live in Yugoslavia and not long after the flag waving began the Serbs and Croats were were involved in
a vicious and unspeakable war.

Maybe we should follow the US and have a ‘Reclaim The UK Flag’ movement.

Interesting article by Ian Dunt in The New European recently-

www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news/the-new-patriotism-7313906

The tories are pushing this 'super patriotism' as a purely political ploy and it is straight out of the fascist playbook. It's got very little to do with actual patriotism, it's more to do with singling out people who won't play along with it and calling them traitors. It's about winding up 'the mob'. How soon before people who don't display a union flag on their property have their windows smashed for being disloyal to the state?

What hyperbolic nonsense MaizieD!
?

Can I be a tad pedantic here and mention that it is only called the Union Jack when flown on a ship? Otherwise it is called the Union Flag. Sorry, I'll go now!

I think they are in their offices varian not their homes! Jenrick was in his office when Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stydt made fun.

Do you think because the Union flag isn’t the EU one it should be hidden? Yes, post-Brexit it’s all about the optics but as Pantglas points out other countries are proud to fly their flag! We somehow feel it’s a little shameful or cause for derision.

Sad really.

The union flag is the flag of the United Kingdom. I like seeing it being used by people who are not the BNP. Keir Starmer is not a member of the Tory party but he seems to be adopting the flag recently, too.

If I see someone flying or displaying the Union Jack, I tend to assume they’re racist. And I’m usually right.

What a very unbalanced judgement to make.

if they are making video calls from home then presumably they are work calls as it's the 'office' to all intents and purposes so that is why the union jack is there. Why would someone question it? What's wrong with people, not the flag.