St. George’s and Union Jack flags have appeared in towns across Britain under a campaign known as Operation Raise the Colours, in what is widely seen as a public display of patriotism and defiance of the government’s migration policies. However, the movement has met pushback from some local residents, who describe it as unsettling and divisive.
The campaign, which began in Birmingham and East London, has spread to Manchester, Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Worcester, Redditch, and York. Patriotic images have been painted on streets, while Scottish and Irish colors have also been seen.
While activists describe the displays as an expression of national pride, others have raised concerns because the campaign has received backing from right-wing organizations. The BBC reported that some residents found the flags “intimidating” and provocative at a time of high tensions over migration. Some residents in Birmingham denounced the stunts as “wanton vandalism” and “an excuse for xenophobia.”
The push to hoist the national flag has also met some resistance from local officials. Councils in Birmingham and Tower Hamlets have taken down some flags, citing safety concerns.
🚨BREAKING: Thousands of flags were risen across Central London last night in large-scale “Raise the Colours” operationThe fight back has officially begun. pic.twitter.com/WA2ZyHxrxW
— Inevitable West (@Inevitablewest) August 21, 2025
Birmingham’s Labour council said that attachments on lamp posts can be “dangerous” to pedestrians and motorists, while Tower Hamlets Council attributed its removal of flags to “routine maintenance.” Critics, however, have pointed out that in many cases Palestinian flags have not been subject to the same treatment.
Lads in Birmingham paint roundabouts with the St George’s Cross after the Labour council tore their flags down. 🏴 pic.twitter.com/FwBiPIJLu3
— Turning Point UK 🇬🇧 (@TPointUK) August 18, 2025
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson called the policy of removing flags “nothing short of a disgrace and shows utter contempt for the British people.”
In recent months, the UK has seen increasing public protests against soaring migration. Organizers have described the rallies not as far-right actions but as efforts to challenge what they call a malfunctioning government system.
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