Flags have started appearing on lampposts, across motorway bridges and along streets in the UK in recent weeks.
The Union Flag and St George’s flag – which don’t often appear outside sporting, royal or military events – have been pictured in several English cities, while red crosses have been painted over white mini-roundabouts and on zebra-crossings.
So what’s behind the increased number of flags, and why could it be been as controversial?
How did the recent movement start?
The flags first appeared – and were later removed – in the West Midlands and Tower Hamlets in east London, around two weeks ago.
The movement is thought to have been started – and continues to be encouraged – by the Birmingham-based groups the Weoley Warriors and Weoley Castle Warriors.
The groups describe themselves on a GoFundMe page as “proud English men” who have a “common goal to show Birmingham and the rest of the country of how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements”.
The fundraising page, which it said, was set up to raise funds to buy flags, poles and cable ties and put them up in local areas, stands at more than £20,000.
Another group calling themselves “Operation Raise the Colours” are also encouraging the display of flags and emerged around the same time. On a Facebook page, which has more than 5,000 members, it states it wants to “bring back patriotism once and for all”.
One incident of a roundabout being painted in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, is now being investigated by West Mercia Police.
Sky News contacted each group but did not receive any comment.
Why could it be seen as controversial?
Tim Marshall, a foreign affairs writer and author of best-selling book, Prisoners of Geography, told Sky News that British patriotism is usually understated, with flags only coming out on special occasions.
But in the last 20 years, “younger generations have pushed a ‘with us or against us’ style of debate”.
He said as a result, the Union Flag, which is “meant to represent every citizen” may, at times, only be associated with “sections of the whole”.
Mr Marshall added that the St George’s flag was “hijacked” by the far-right in the late 1970s, who began to fly it at street level. It wasn’t until the 1996 Euros football tournament when the flag returned to “being a symbol of the country”.
“Now we see the return of some people being suspicious that displaying it at street level is malevolent,” Mr Marshall said.
During recent anti-migrant protests in the UK, some have been seen carrying or wearing the Union Flag and St George’s flag. Mr Marshall said while it is “true that flags can be flown in an aggressive and provocative manner”, it is “unfair to taint everyone with that”.
The groups, “Operation Raise the Colours”, Weoley Warriors and the Weoley Castle Warriors maintain the movement is for patriotic purposes only.
‘Every other country can do the same’
Anthony Farrell, who has pivoted a part of his business to sell flag poles, told Sky News’ home news correspondent Amelia Harper that he will “fly his flag with pride”.
He said he came up with the idea to fix poles to people’s houses, after doing it to his own.
When asked why he thought people were getting involved in the movement, Mr Farrell said he thought it was “a little to do with immigration problems” and is a way for people to “show a bit of pride”.
Livvy McCarthy, a 32-year-old bartender, in the Isle of Dogs, London, added that people should feel “proud” to fly the flag.
She told Reuters: “Every other country can do the same, so what’s the problem?”
While some regard the flag as showing patriotism, one London local said it was right for flags in Birmingham and Tower Hamlets to be taken down.
She told PA the flags went up after a demonstration about asylum, adding that normally flags are used around a celebration or for bringing people together.
Stanley Oronsaye, a 52-year-old hospitality worker from Nigeria, added: “The worry is from the fact that if it escalates it can turn into something else.
“It’s worrisome when… nationalism is allowed to take a different tone.”
What has the government said?
Both Birmingham City Council and Tower Hamlets Council defended taking down the flags, citing health and safety obligations.
The council in Birmingham said people are free to fly or hang flags from their homes or gardens, but asked that they are “not attached to street furniture”.
But it appears to have only fuelled the movement more.
When asked about the flags being taken down, Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson maintained that patriotism will “always be an important thing” to the prime minister.
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He added that Sir Keir is “absolutely” supportive of people who put up English flags, as Downing Street would do everything a national team is playing in a tournament.
Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch had a stronger reaction, calling the removal of flags “shameful”.
The Conservative leader said the flying of English flags should be “welcomed”, rather than “seen as an act of rebellion”.
While Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, said his party will “never shy away from celebrating our nation”.
The move even prompted reaction from US billionaire Elon Musk, who posted a picture of the St George’s flag on his X account.
