Would you fly a flag for your country?

I will not be flying a flag. I am so proud of being British but I think it is now turning ridiculous as the people flying them are trying to churn up trouble. There will be riots in the future because of this stupid action. Anyone who isn’t British born and bred most be worried sick. They are here through no fault of their own and yet this pathetic flying of the flag everyone is doing to make them worry. Just what the hell is this country coming to. I Welcome Refugees! There put that in your judgemental pipes and smoke it!
American do fly their flags in their gardens etc but we have never been like that and I do not see why we have to be like that now. It’s pathetic and going to lead to trouble.

Gizzy48

Wonderful.
Saw a picture in one town with two young girls standing at an asylum seeker hostel holding up a union flag and a placard saying Get them Out.
Clearly the parents teaching them to be cruel and insensitive people.

MayBee70

I read that Farage will not be in parliament when it reopens as he will be in America again. Is that true?

I wouldn't be surprised. Farage has not had one surgery in nearly a year since his election to help deal with his constituents problems.
He has missed 80% of parliamentary votes.
Not one Reform MP attended the defence debate.
Farage had the 748th worst attendance record out of 751 MEPs in the Brusells parliament,
He was appointed to represent the UK's interests on the EU Fisheries Committee, he attended just ONE meeting out of 42 over 3 years.
He was fined £35,000 for fiddling his MEP's expenses.

Gizzy48

My daughter makes what has, for her, become a weekly pilgrimage to show support for the asylum seekers who, not from their own choice, are being housed in a former hotel and being intimidated and vilified by crowds of– let’s politely call them the misinformed.

There are union jacks and St George flags aplenty on the protesting side, which infuriates me: I’m British and English and I love my country, though I’m saddened by the hate-filled, unwelcoming place it’s becoming. But those are MY flags too.

One of my daughter’s friends had an England flag, on which she had painted the words “Refugees Welcome”

Hooboy, the protestors did NOT like that! She was accused of desecrating and of misrepresenting “their” flag.

This is why I won’t fly a flag (except maybe for the yellow-white-red Dorset flag), unless it’s an international or sporting event. The flag has become a political emblem, and as such, it’s perpetrating the lie that only the anti-migrant faction are “patriots”

I get the same feeling when I hear Trump supporter’s chanting USA USA at his rallies. It’s reinforcing (to them) that their “side”, and only theirs, are the ones who love their country.

Well done her!

I rather like this spoof of what is happening on roundabouts.

*Churches are not just buildings they are human communities.
Some church communities would not choose to be associated with divisive symbols*

Indeed - I see them mainly on St George's Day and St Andrews Day. Entirely appropriate. But I view them as public buildings and they are put up with dignity and with no ulterior motive.
I know the other religious buildings don't but they are not the 'state' religion for want of a better word.

On BBC website

*A vicar has said a St George's Cross painted on a church wall was "an attempt to intimidate".The Reverend Rachel Heskins said the graffiti, which appeared on the side of St John the Baptist Church in Laughton Way, Lincoln, on Monday, was upsetting for a community which prides itself on being inclusive.Volunteers hope to scrub the paint off the building, she said. Ms Heskins said: "The St George's Cross has become a symbol of nationalism which has become confused with patriotism – the two are very different. "Volunteers hope to scrub the paint off the church on Laughton Way, Lincoln
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the graffiti "doesn't represent us and what goes on inside the church". Ms Heskins added: "It's not just about being proud about being English. This has gone up with an excluding and angry message." She said the graffiti was "upsetting" for a church which has always been inclusive to strangers and refugees*

StoneofDestiny

Gizzy48

The behaviour going on now in our country is mimicking the behaviour of those Americans that brought Trump to power. Farage is copying it every step of the way. People forget Farage wanted to work with Trump, a convicted Felon (even wore his MAGA hat).
He’s spent more time in the USA than in his own constituency.
We just need to see the chaos Trump has encouraged - the storming of the Capitol Building, pardoning rioters who attacked police officers, how he has insulted Canadians, Greenlanders, Ukrainians and others. How he has cosied up to Putin and Netanyahu and his obnoxious attitude to women and those who speak against him. He’s turning the USA into a dictatorship and even boasts it’s what people want! He is despised across the civilised world.
And here we have some people in this country blindly following the Trump method of behaviour.

I read that Farage will not be in parliament when it reopens as he will be in America again. Is that true?

Oh, it was Dr Samuel Johnson, of dictionary fame.

I can’t think of a single good reason why I should fly a flag. I have no need to proclaim my country.

I find it really creepy that American children pledge allegiance to the flag each morning in school.

I once took part in a Last Night of the Proms concert and was given a flag to wave. I just couldn’t do it. My country is not superior to other countries, and the fact that I was born here and live here is just random chance.

Who is it who said that patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel?

Allira

Caleo

StoneofDestiny

Yes - entirely appropriate on a public building, St George flag entirely appropriate on Church of England as the Saltire is on Church of Scotland. Fine when sports teams are playing and at on ‘special days’ - but the rampant nylon flags soon to be shredded by wind and rain is tasteless and tacky and clearly not intended to beautify a town or welcome all people.
How much nicer to plant flowers in streets and pay for hanging baskets to be attached to lamp posts along roads. Building community and beautifying our streets is a far more positive way to demonstrate the love of your country.
Sadly that goon Farage and his followers wouldn’t think of anything positive and uplifting that might teach the next generation what pride in their community should look like.

Yes, the Anglican church is the "Tory party at prayer" however I doubt if most Anglicans choose to be so blatant as to hang up a flag .

There are flags flying from our church tower.

Churches are not just buildings they are human communities.
Some church communities would not choose to be associated with divisive symbols

Gizzy48

The behaviour going on now in our country is mimicking the behaviour of those Americans that brought Trump to power. Farage is copying it every step of the way. People forget Farage wanted to work with Trump, a convicted Felon (even wore his MAGA hat).
He’s spent more time in the USA than in his own constituency.
We just need to see the chaos Trump has encouraged - the storming of the Capitol Building, pardoning rioters who attacked police officers, how he has insulted Canadians, Greenlanders, Ukrainians and others. How he has cosied up to Putin and Netanyahu and his obnoxious attitude to women and those who speak against him. He’s turning the USA into a dictatorship and even boasts it’s what people want! He is despised across the civilised world.
And here we have some people in this country blindly following the Trump method of behaviour.

Gingster I too would love to fly the flag but my husband is worried we might have our car scratched or worse , what a world we live in now

Casdon

Allira

Casdon

Perhaps we should market that idea Allira - display our moderate and mixed views with grey flags - if everybody in the country had to choose a flag, I’d bet there would be more grey flags than anything else.

Grey is not my colour, Casdon, it makes me look washed out.

Anyway, which shade of grey, apparently there are about fifty?

Nor mine, but I think all the other colours are already taken - apart from beige, and that would be an even less attractive flag.

A patchwork flag containing all the colours of world flags?

Oreo

Casdon

Perhaps we should market that idea Allira - display our moderate and mixed views with grey flags - if everybody in the country had to choose a flag, I’d bet there would be more grey flags than anything else.

And wouldn’t that be dreary!

Okay, I’ve been thinking, I don’t think day-glo yellow is taken?

My daughter makes what has, for her, become a weekly pilgrimage to show support for the asylum seekers who, not from their own choice, are being housed in a former hotel and being intimidated and vilified by crowds of– let’s politely call them the misinformed.

There are union jacks and St George flags aplenty on the protesting side, which infuriates me: I’m British and English and I love my country, though I’m saddened by the hate-filled, unwelcoming place it’s becoming. But those are MY flags too.

One of my daughter’s friends had an England flag, on which she had painted the words “Refugees Welcome”

Hooboy, the protestors did NOT like that! She was accused of desecrating and of misrepresenting “their” flag.

This is why I won’t fly a flag (except maybe for the yellow-white-red Dorset flag), unless it’s an international or sporting event. The flag has become a political emblem, and as such, it’s perpetrating the lie that only the anti-migrant faction are “patriots”

I get the same feeling when I hear Trump supporter’s chanting USA USA at his rallies. It’s reinforcing (to them) that their “side”, and only theirs, are the ones who love their country.

Allira

Casdon

Perhaps we should market that idea Allira - display our moderate and mixed views with grey flags - if everybody in the country had to choose a flag, I’d bet there would be more grey flags than anything else.

Grey is not my colour, Casdon, it makes me look washed out.

Anyway, which shade of grey, apparently there are about fifty?

Nor mine, but I think all the other colours are already taken - apart from beige, and that would be an even less attractive flag.

Caleo

StoneofDestiny

Yes - entirely appropriate on a public building, St George flag entirely appropriate on Church of England as the Saltire is on Church of Scotland. Fine when sports teams are playing and at on ‘special days’ - but the rampant nylon flags soon to be shredded by wind and rain is tasteless and tacky and clearly not intended to beautify a town or welcome all people.
How much nicer to plant flowers in streets and pay for hanging baskets to be attached to lamp posts along roads. Building community and beautifying our streets is a far more positive way to demonstrate the love of your country.
Sadly that goon Farage and his followers wouldn’t think of anything positive and uplifting that might teach the next generation what pride in their community should look like.

Yes, the Anglican church is the "Tory party at prayer" however I doubt if most Anglicans choose to be so blatant as to hang up a flag .

There are flags flying from our church tower.

My flag is different to your flag. How funny they are.

Allira

^This flag is a symbol of love, of welcome, of togetherness, of inclusion. All of us who live in Wales are equal.
If you show this flag, you are displaying these values. I’m grateful to you. Diolch.^
Leanne Wood

Wales has a long history of rebellion against domination by England.

StoneofDestiny

Yes - entirely appropriate on a public building, St George flag entirely appropriate on Church of England as the Saltire is on Church of Scotland. Fine when sports teams are playing and at on ‘special days’ - but the rampant nylon flags soon to be shredded by wind and rain is tasteless and tacky and clearly not intended to beautify a town or welcome all people.
How much nicer to plant flowers in streets and pay for hanging baskets to be attached to lamp posts along roads. Building community and beautifying our streets is a far more positive way to demonstrate the love of your country.
Sadly that goon Farage and his followers wouldn’t think of anything positive and uplifting that might teach the next generation what pride in their community should look like.

Yes, the Anglican church is the "Tory party at prayer" however I doubt if most Anglicans choose to be so blatant as to hang up a flag .

^This flag is a symbol of love, of welcome, of togetherness, of inclusion. All of us who live in Wales are equal.
If you show this flag, you are displaying these values. I’m grateful to you. Diolch.^
Leanne Wood

Yes - entirely appropriate on a public building, St George flag entirely appropriate on Church of England as the Saltire is on Church of Scotland. Fine when sports teams are playing and at on ‘special days’ - but the rampant nylon flags soon to be shredded by wind and rain is tasteless and tacky and clearly not intended to beautify a town or welcome all people.
How much nicer to plant flowers in streets and pay for hanging baskets to be attached to lamp posts along roads. Building community and beautifying our streets is a far more positive way to demonstrate the love of your country.
Sadly that goon Farage and his followers wouldn’t think of anything positive and uplifting that might teach the next generation what pride in their community should look like.

Flying the UK flag doesn't always mean someone’s extra-patriotic.

For some, it’s just a way to show pride or be part of the crowd. For others, it might be more about personal identity or even making a political statement.

True patriotism is often deeper - it’s about how you live, support your community, and stand up for the values you believe in. So, waving a flag can be part of it, but it’s not the whole story.

The St George's Cross and the Union flag have been brought into disrepute by rowdies who exhibit unreasoned support for extreme right wing.

That is why many reasonable people won't be flying the flags they have a right to fly.