Would you fly a flag for your country?

I got the following from ChatGTP. I asked for a summary of a longer document, for posting to Gransnet,

Waving the Union Jack isn’t directly linked to wealth or income. Research shows no correlation between displaying the flag and someone’s economic position. Instead, it’s more about politics, identity, and context — for example, it’s more visible among Conservatives, Brexit supporters, or unionists in Northern Ireland, and less so in Scotland or Wales where local flags dominate.

In summary: the Union Jack is best understood as a symbol of national pride, political stance, or regional identity, not of class or wealth.

Public perception varies widely:

Positive – pride, tradition, shared history.

Neutral – just part of events (royal occasions, sport, festivals).

Negative – nationalism, xenophobia, or colonial nostalgia.

And Caleo Mon 01-Sept-25 09:46:49

Sorry, doing two things at once again! My post 01-Sept-25 10:00:20 was is reply to Oreo's

I doubt many think about them when they are singing, you tend not to when you are singing in foreign language and this is the language of the past.

What they do not do is riot, holding song or flag as a captured symbol of a future no one should support. The line of argument out forward is comparing apples with oranges.

Logic really isn't a "thing" for those driven by propoganda, is it? But then if people are going to swallow the bait put out I suppose we shouldn't expect anything different.

Mt61

Maremia

Sadly, for the folk living nearby, where those latest flags go up, the house prices go down. Estate agents claim that prospective buyers do not wish to live in areas with 'obvious anti-social behaviour'.

Oh I don’t about that. Some rather large houses near me, have in their own grounds, flag poles. Put up when the Ukraine war started, now flying union Jacks.

Flag -waving does not correlate with wealth or income

In view of the above from Oreo, it would be fair to ask the flag wavers among Grans what they think of the lyrics of Land of Hope and Glory, and Rule Britannia

Oreo

The audience sometimes also waved the EU flag as well as the Union flag, was that light hearted irony too?

Good question. That, I did not know of. In view of Oreos's information I will have to tone down my opinion which is based on the general peacefulness and good humour of the people there singing Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia.

PoliticsNerd

I think we have to accept that the far-right will often kidnap flags and any show of patriotism, and that others will follow, often destroying the dignity usually accorded to the union flag and other national emblems.

But those doing this should accept how they are then seen. You really can't have it both ways.

I agree.
Flying the Union Jack or England flag during sporting events or from Buckingham Palace or at the Proms is one thing but putting up a flag now could be construed as political, chiming with far right groups and the likes of Yaxley Lennon.
Our city in Essex has flags tied to lamp posts all the way along the main route into the city and in many streets including ours, these are not showing national pride, far from it, they symbolise something many British people are far from proud of.
Sadly separating out those who are simply showing national pride from this far right movement is now virtually impossible.

I think we have to accept that the far-right will often kidnap flags and any show of patriotism, and that others will follow, often destroying the dignity usually accorded to the union flag and other national emblems.

But those doing this should accept how they are then seen. You really can't have it both ways.

Galaxy

You can only wave flags if we approve of the thoughts in your head.

Shades of 1984

The audience sometimes also waved the EU flag as well as the Union flag, was that light hearted irony too?

You can only wave flags if we approve of the thoughts in your head.

Teazel2

Allira

So immigrants are fine unless they carry the flag on Remembrance Day as that is not proper pride , waving flags is an act of defiance and always was according to Caleo!

Have I got that right?

I need to get real apparently.
I don't think it's me that has got it wrong, somehow.

Caleo is very, very wrong. Its such a rude comment as well!

I used to go to the Classical Spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall every year and was so proud to wave the Union Jack alongside everyone else in the audience. How dare Caleo state its an act of defiance, what absolute rubbish.

Waving Union Jacks at the Last Night of the Proms is light -hearted irony.

LizzieDrip you’re getting more than your threads mixed up.
It’s very unfair to fling accusations at a poster then claim it must be for what they posted on a different thread when you’re pulled up on it.

Allira

I've saved you the trouble.
Nothing I posted on that thread warrants what you said in your post.
Perhaps you'd like to retract your statement.

Allira has been misunderstood on this thread, and so now posters are throwing accusations at her. It happens on GN, and then cleverly crops up across threads.

Allira has not written anything, on any thread, at any time, to the effect that she is against asylum seekers themselves.

LizzieDrip

Apologies for the ‘delay’ in responding - busy with family meal.

My mistake - the comments I referred to aren’t on this thread; they’re on the one about the Epping hotel judgement. Getting my threads mixed up🙈

If you like I can go through that thread and reference them but won’t be this evening - enjoying time with family.

Not much of an apology is it?

Looking at the riots in Epping with some arrested, I am certainly not proud of the flags they are brandishing.

I drove home on the M1,M6 and M5 yesterday there were a few flags on bridges already looking rather tired and tatty. If this is how people show pride in being English could they please secure them properly in a few days time I can see them coming loose and ending up on car or lorry window screens causing accidents..

Maremia

Sadly, for the folk living nearby, where those latest flags go up, the house prices go down. Estate agents claim that prospective buyers do not wish to live in areas with 'obvious anti-social behaviour'.

Oh I don’t about that. Some rather large houses near me, have in their own grounds, flag poles. Put up when the Ukraine war started, now flying union Jacks.

I've saved you the trouble.
Nothing I posted on that thread warrants what you said in your post.
Perhaps you'd like to retract your statement.

Apologies for the ‘delay’ in responding - busy with family meal.

My mistake - the comments I referred to aren’t on this thread; they’re on the one about the Epping hotel judgement. Getting my threads mixed up🙈

If you like I can go through that thread and reference them but won’t be this evening - enjoying time with family.

Still waiting 🤔

Perhaps you might consider asking for your post to be removed as it is untrue, LizzieDrip.

LizzieDrip

^You don't get more real than someone who has escaped his country, fearing for his life, made a life for himself here and integrated fully into life here in the UK^

I totally agree Allira but, must admit, I’m confused.

Do you support those seeking asylum here or not? The above comment suggests that you do yet some of your other comments suggest the opposite🤔

Exactly what comments would those be?

And I hope they soon move away and give you some peace.

icanhandthemback

MayBee70

I’ve just had a horrible thought. My partners other neighbour, who is probably the most intelligent person I’ve ever spoken to is originally from another country. I tend to forget because he’s lived and worked here for decades.And a few years ago he married a lovely lady from another country ( Ethiopia perhaps…I’ve never asked him) who has always seemed very isolated. They now have two very young children. What on earth is she thinking, now. I’m appalled…

Maybe they don't see it in the same way at all as an act of racism. If I put up a flag, it would not be a sign of racism at all but because I was supporting my football, rugby, hockey team or St George's Day, etc. Sadly, I no longer feel able to do that for fear of it being a symbol of racism or, maybe even worse, a supporter of Reform!
I live in a place that has been a predominantly white area for a long time but a lovely Indian family have bought the hotel up the road. They also bought the one next to my Mum's and keep that one for Asian people to stay in because they sometimes find it more settling to be amongst their own. I have no criticism of them but find it sad they feel like that. All the people I have passed staying at the hotel are friendly enough and absolutely no trouble. They are delightful and very welcome.
The local garage has a car wash franchised out to a company who only employ Asian (not sure what nationality) people and the way they jeer, leer and shout at young women on a regular basis is outrageous. When one group of women gave them a mouthful, they actually threw Coca Cola over their car. It isn't just once I've noticed their behaviour but several times. When I have spoken to the Garage about how distressing it is, they just shrug their shoulders. If people are living with this, I understand why they are upset.
I think it would be interesting to know if there was a difference in the behaviour of each group to see whether it was a cultural difference.

I know these people. You don’t.