St George’s Day has renewed debate over the meaning of the England flag – and Independent readers have been weighing in on what it represents today, and whether it can still act as a unifying national symbol.
The discussion revealed a deeply divided picture. For some, the backlash against the flag reflects “hypocrisy and double standards”, with English identity seen as unfairly stigmatised compared to other UK nations. But many others argued the issue is not the symbol itself, but how it has been used – particularly by groups perceived to project exclusion or intimidation.
A dominant theme was that the flag has been “tainted” or “weaponised”, with several readers linking its display to political extremism or aggressive behaviour. This, they suggest, has led to a wider reluctance among many to display it, even during major sporting events.
Others pushed back on this, insisting the flag belongs to everyone and should be reclaimed as a symbol of inclusion and shared identity in a diverse, modern Britain.
Here’s what you had to say:
The double standards are apparent
It’s the left who have created the hatred for the flag and England. They celebrate flags and nationalism of every UK country except England. The hypocrisy and double standards are very apparent. You are made to feel ashamed and guilty to be English, whilst celebrated if Scottish or Welsh.
It’s not the flag, it’s the behaviour
When I see an England flag I think, oh God, someone’s going to be upset but it isn’t me because I don’t care – it’s just a flag. When I see grown men, predominantly men, marching about shouting the odds, the flag is the last thing that bothers me. It’s their noise, their message, behaviour and demeanour – they could be carrying dishcloths or ribbon.
The effect is only working because we’re letting it. Imagine if it were ignored, no reference made, no having to take back control because it didn’t have control anyway. There are more conversations about bloody flags, whoever or whatever they are meant to represent, than there are about poverty. And I know what at least one of you will say – well I don’t care about that either.
Taking back the flag
The flag has been tainted by those who choose to fly it everywhere as a means to mark their territory, no better than dogs leaving their scent at lampposts. It isn’t an act of patriotism; it is meant to threaten those they perceive as ‘don’t belong’. It actually makes me think twice about putting the flag up during England games, but I will raise it today in defiance of these people – take back the flag!
A flag that should unite everyone
I am a native-born Brit with many generations in the past. I’ve had ‘clients’ who were mid-level members of The Firm and others who are/were from the upper echelons of British popular culture. My genealogy could sit in a room on its own and qualify as a United Nations meeting, with about six member countries absent. The flag of St George is my flag too.
A flag is a symbol, a ‘standard’ that is meant to identify and unite all of those within a certain group. The UK has a diverse ethno-cultural history, and London, its capital, is regarded as one of the world’s most ethnically diverse cities, with over 170 different languages spoken every day.
…and you’re telling me that some scrawny knuckle-dragger who points at a picture of egg and chips on the menu when ordering food abroad is supposed to be the only person who can claim ownership of this flag?
It’s not about where you’re from. It’s about where you are now and what you want to do from here. You want to be part of my country, to help it grow, to drive its future? Welcome.
You want to spread division and hatred? There’s the door – get out. Oh, and leave the flag behind. It’s not for you.
Restricting flag use to public offices
The union flag should only be allowed to be flown from public offices, and the country’s flag should only be allowed to be flown from public offices on that country’s public holiday (e.g. St George’s Day in England). No private individual should be allowed to fly any flag, nor should any flags be flown from lampposts or painted on roads or walls.
Moreover, the union flag and the country’s flag should be treated with respect and never used for publicity, commercial or otherwise, design or decoration, or at political rallies. Northern Ireland should be treated differently, with both the union flag and the flag of the Republic of Ireland flown from public offices, with some relaxing of the rule for private residences.
Decline of flag displays in diverse areas
It’s really sad. It was reclaimed from the far right but they have been allowed to have it back. I live in a very multi-ethnic area and a few years ago, if England was in a tournament – World Cup or Euros – there would be St George’s crosses up and down the street. I doubt there will be for the World Cup in the summer.
Flags used as intimidation in communities
‘Can the England flag ever be cool again?’
Clearly not in Bristol. There are still many roads lined with intimidating Union and St George flags. They are illegally placed there by neo-fascist groups to specifically threaten immigrants and those who don’t agree with their odious racist views. But when contacted, the council refuses to remove them, seeming to agree with the sentiments they express. Why?
A medieval revival
Before Euro 96, although nearly everyone incorrectly called it something else, the English regarded the Union Flag as their national flag without any complication. It was not even a question. In my childhood, no one would have had any idea what Saint George’s Flag was outside certain ecclesiastical circles that were obscure even in the 1980s, but around which I did happen to grow up.
The 1966 World Cup Final is probably on YouTube – check which flag most of the English fans were waving. The present medieval revival was initiated 30 years later, which was in my adult lifetime, to sell bad beer to football’s new middle-class audience, who were the only people who could still afford the tickets – or the beer. That revival predates devolution or anything like that. But we do have it now. It can be used to advantage.
The Welsh dragon
The Welsh dragon has been voted the world’s coolest flag, a sign of identity, and as it flutters in the wind it seems to be alive. The English flag is now seen by many as a sign of hate and intolerance, remembering that the Reformers decreed, initially, only the Union Jack and Cross of St George (not even an English saint) could be put on council buildings.
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