Too many Union Jacks say Labour MP’s !

If you don't like our flag don't live here / You always get extremists in all walks of life.

Interesting.

Many ethnic minorities equate the flag with the far right, so it should not be shown as prominently.

Many British people currently equate the Israel Flag, Palestinian Flag or the Ukrainian Flag with war in a country that is not ours. Is it forbidden to fly them here?

I think most of you are completely missing the point. Labour are using the Union flag as part of a political culture war. It's divisive.

We are not a nation of flag fliers and in the past, as people have noted, it's been used in situations where the UK is more or less united and not for political purposes. It's desperately sad that it's being reduced to a tool in a political culture war.

No they are trying (I hope) to back away from the divisive identity politics. And to win an election so that vulnerable people stand a chance.

Culture is really important. For example I am not a fan of the royal family. If the labour party took a Republican stance at this time I would weep. The flag is important to many, its important to acknowledge that.

I think Labour are using the Union Jack to demonstrate to the traditional red wall working class voters who are known for their patriotism to make the point of "we're with you on that" because at times that has been less than evident, but they've kind of over egged it now. I don't think anyone should assume, just because at one time right wing groups appropriated the national flag that non indigenous ethnic groups object to it, we shouldn't speak for them they aren't a homogeneous mass that all think the same. In fact, I'd say many different races etc were very evident in the crowds on occasions like our late Queen's Jubilee and also on the streets as part of the many people who mourned her death at the funeral processions.

Witzend

I thought it was the England (St George) flag that is (sadly IMO) associated with the far right.

Me too, sadly!

I think Labour are using the Union Jack to demonstrate to the traditional red wall working class voters who are known for their patriotism......

How patronising.

are there any people on gransnet who are in a minority ethnic group that could tell us how they feel?

the main problem with the union flag is that it is not displayed correctly - many are upside down! I have no problem with the flag being correctly displayed but nowadays there are county flags as well.
That is when there are too many flags

there must be no more fun with flags

JaneJudge

there must be no more fun with flags

What about wearing them?

that gentleman is committed

zakouma66

I don't care about flags, I don't care about nationalism or tribalism. I'm not proud to be British. I wanted to be European.

Oh dear me.

JaneJudge

there must be no more fun with flags

Ooh Sheldon Cooper Fun. with Flags

flappergirl

vegansrock

What is the point of a flag anyway- all this faux patriotism and we are better than you malarkey. Why do political parties need to plaster it on their literature anyway? It’s not like they are electioneering in another country

Exactly.

Like it or not, the Union Flag (it is not the Union Jack by the way) has been hijacked by far right groups. It is disingenuous to deny it. I live on a very white, Brexiteer, Nigel Farage loving council estate (they'd be Trump voters in the USA) where the flag is displayed in windows or on flag poles. Trust me, this has nothing to do with patriotism. It is making a very specific statement.

To return to vegansrock's point. We all know the various political parties are campaigning in Britain. Why do we need the Union Flag on their literature to remind us?

Well of course you do. A nasty comment, seemingly taken from from the mouth of such as Thornberry. Do you think the French aren't patriotic, yes they are, and are fighting against the same nasty bigots as we are.

I’m not a right winger - at all I don’t think but - I’ve no problem with love of country. One of the things I love about Greece is the way people love their crazy country. Maybe that’s the thing, their’s pride and irony

I have these shoes, bought with true patriotism in mind for the late Queen's Jubilee in 2012. To me they symbolise this wonderful great country that we live in.

Well, I'm sorry, but political use of the union flag reminds me too much of Johnson draping everywhere with union flags to 'celebrate' leaving the EU. Which was not the UK's proudest moment and was very upsetting for a great many people.

But ha

I was obviously too upset to post😀.
Starmer isnt Johnson. Although they both have an ambition to win, but for different reasons.

I don’t mind a bit of draping around with our flag, it is our own flag after all.
Starmer wants to reassure the public, after the near miss of Comrade Corbyn being in charge, that the country will be safe in the hands of Labour now.

I’m not a lover of flags of any description and can’t see the point of them - a bit of cloth with a pattern on - but according to some on here that means I should go and live somewhere else.

vegansrock

I’m not a lover of flags of any description and can’t see the point of them - a bit of cloth with a pattern on - but according to some on here that means I should go and live somewhere else.

That somewhere else will doubtless have its own flag!

Somewhere I have the Ladybird Book of World Flags, probably slightly out of date now.

vegansrock

I’m not a lover of flags of any description and can’t see the point of them - a bit of cloth with a pattern on - but according to some on here that means I should go and live somewhere else.

You’re obviously not a lover of history: a country’s flag is of paramount importance.