UK Starmer Speaks Out on Councils Removing Union Jack Flags

[Red Forever]

The UK is clawing it’s way out of the mire which was 100% precipitated by 14 years of disastrous far right governments but the far right are triggered by flags.

 grow up you Little Englanders.

You really have marginalised yourselves. Your armory consists of your obsession with flags and small boats.

 

[BritManToo]

4 minutes ago, Red Forever said:

The UK is clawing it’s way out of the mire which was 100% precipitated by 14 years of disastrous far right governments but the far right are triggered by flags.

grow up you Little Englanders.

You really have marginalised yourselves. Your armory consists of your obsession with flags and small boats.

 

I only see it sinking deeper 

Glad I'm not there!

[Geoff914]

47 minutes ago, Card said:

I was responding to a clear reference to religion not law. Can't you read? Here is the post I refer to:

"Ask a Muslim who their primary allegiance is to;  the UK or their Islamic faith.  If not the former, then remove them from the UK if at all possible."

 

I assume a Catholic can renounce their religion at any time. Any Muslim who does that has a fatwa put upon them.

[SunsetT]

11 hours ago, CharlieH said:

 

"Patriotism will always be an important thing to him," the PM's official spokesman said as the debate over the flags continues to rage.

 

 

Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson has confirmed that the Prime Minister “absolutely” supports the public display of English and British flags. This statement comes in the wake of considerable public reaction after two local councils in England, Tower Hamlets and Birmingham, ordered the removal of flags from their properties. These flags were part of a patriotic initiative known as Operation Raise the Colours.

 

The Prime Minister's official spokesman addressed the controversy, emphasizing Starmer's enduring pride in being British. He highlighted Starmer's previous comments celebrating national achievements, particularly noting the Lionesses’ recent success in the Euros as a point of national pride. "Patriotism will always be significant to him," the spokesperson reiterated, stressing the importance of celebrating British identity through symbolic gestures such as flag displays.

 

The backlash began when Tower Hamlets Council in east London and Birmingham City Council removed the flags, sparking debate. These actions were taken under the councils' directives, with Birmingham citing safety concerns. "Unauthorized items on lampposts could pose a risk to public safety," stated a Birmingham Council representative. Similarly, Tower Hamlets Council mentioned their commitment to maintaining council infrastructure, noting that the flags were attached without the necessary permissions.

 

Despite these justifications, the removals have led to political debate. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick openly criticized Tower Hamlets, accusing the council, led by the pro-Gaza Aspire Party, of demonstrating a "two-tier bias." He pointed out that Palestinian flags, put up following the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, were not removed promptly, suggesting an inconsistency in the treatment of different flags based on their symbolism.

 

"This absurd national self-loathing must end," Jenrick insisted. "We need to be one country united under the Union flag." His comments reflect a broader sentiment among those who view the removal of British flags as a failure to embrace national solidarity and pride.

 

The situation has ignited a wider discussion about national pride, the meaning of flag symbolism, and the criteria used to determine which flags can be displayed publicly. Questions have arisen over what constitutes a safety hazard and why certain flags are allowed to remain while others, representing national identity, are taken down.

 

The uproar has stretched beyond the councils' decisions and into the larger political arena, prompting reflections on how patriotism is expressed and perceived in the UK. The debate underscores a growing tension between national identity and multicultural representation within public spaces.

 

Amidst the ongoing controversy, it’s clear that such actions resonate deeply with the public's feelings about national pride and identity. As councils navigate the complexities of these decisions, the dialogue surrounding patriotism and its representation continues to evolve, challenging leaders to balance local governance with wider national sentiments. This debate is likely to persist as communities and leaders work toward policies that reflect diverse views while maintaining respect for national symbols.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Exoress 2025-08-19

 

 

I spend a lot of time in Thailand and there are Thai flags flying everywhere especially on government buildings. In fact I use them daily to tell how strong and which way the wind is blowing before I go out on my bicycle...😆. The same was true when I spent a year in the US... Flags flying everywhere.

[Kinnock]

11 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Not at all.  People are free to fly whatever flag they like on their own property.

 

Attaching flags to public property is controlled.

 

Another 'non story'!

You are wrong ......  but you usually are, so no surprise  ......

 

 The Thai Flag Act of 1979 prohibits the display of other countries' flags in public spaces, except for embassies and diplomatic residences. Violations can result in a prison sentence of up to one month.

[BeastOfBodmin]

12 hours ago, simon43 said:

Ask a Muslim who their primary allegiance is to;  the UK or their Islamic faith.  If not the former, then remove them from the UK if at all possible.

Even a Muslim who is a British citizen born in the UK? How about Christians born in the UK who converted to Islam?

[blaze master]

12 hours ago, daveAustin said:

^^^ This is what happens when you let them all pile in. No going back now. Imagining the boats trying to come over during Elizabeth I reign, when the place had a pair of balls. 

 

They would of sunk every last one of them. 

[brewsterbudgen]

28 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

You are wrong ......  but you usually are, so no surprise  ......

 

 The Thai Flag Act of 1979 prohibits the display of other countries' flags in public spaces, except for embassies and diplomatic residences. Violations can result in a prison sentence of up to one month.

The topic and my comment was about the UK, not Thailand.

[Kinnock]

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

The topic and my comment was about the UK, not Thailand.

You were replying to a post about Thailand .... man up and admit you were wrong.

 

[brewsterbudgen]

1 minute ago, Kinnock said:

You were replying to a post about Thailand .... man up and admit you were wrong.

I have no idea about Thailand's laws regarding flags and have no interest in them.  The thread and my comment is about the UK.

 

Please stay on topic.

[Kinnock]

1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I have no idea about Thailand's laws regarding flags and have no interest in them.  The thread and my comment is about the UK.

 

Please stay on topic.

Ah .... so you can't man up.  You clearly said I was wrong about the law in Thailand, but now you claim you were speaking about the UK 😄

[josephbloggs]

Just now, Kinnock said:

Ah .... so you can't man up.  You clearly said I was wrong about the law in Thailand, but now you claim you were speaking about the UK 😄

Give it a rest, it was clear he was referring to the UK. Are you not going to let this go until you've won a petty point? It's boring, it's irrelevant. Move on.

[brewsterbudgen]

1 minute ago, Kinnock said:

Ah .... so you can't man up.  You clearly said I was wrong about the law in Thailand, but now you claim you were speaking about the UK 😄

You wrote: "In UK it seems to be illegal to fly the British flag".

I corrected you.

[Kinnock]

Just now, josephbloggs said:

Give it a rest, it was clear he was referring to the UK. Are you not going to let this go until you've won a petty point? It's boring, it's irrelevant. Move on.

Ah .... you have two AN accounts I see.

 

Nobody but you and your alter ego would post such a reply.

[josephbloggs]

Just now, Kinnock said:

Ah .... you have two AN accounts I see.

 

Nobody but you and your alter ego would post such a reply.

Jeez, you get even more ridiculous. Grow up. 

[Kinnock]

3 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

You wrote: "In UK it seems to be illegal to fly the British flag".

I corrected you.

I wrote "in Thailand" .... not UK.

 

You made an incorrect statement, and people have been warned by the police for flying the wrong flags, but now you have confused people my info on Thai law.

[blaze master]

7 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

I wrote "in Thailand" .... not UK.

 

You made an incorrect statement, and people have been warned by the police for flying the wrong flags, but now you have confused people my info on Thai law.

 

To be fair you did mention both UK and Thailand. 

[brewsterbudgen]

3 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

To be fair you did mention both UK and Thailand. 

I don't think he read his own post! 

[simon43]

10 hours ago, Card said:

At same time ask a Catholic who their primary allegiance is to: the UK or the Pope. If not the former then remove then from the UK?

I haven't seen reports of Catholics publically calling for throats to be slit.....

[josephbloggs]

11 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

To be fair you did mention both UK and Thailand. 

Oh no, are you another alter ego as well?

[portisaacozzy]

13 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Only Pakistani and Hamas flags are aloud in these areas just ask Sadiq' Mr two Keir or the local Mayor' through an interpreter🤔  

get back in your pram !!!

[Bkk Brian]

Fly the flag, proud to be British!

 

[JonnyF]

2 hours ago, Red Forever said:

The UK is clawing it’s way out of the mire which was 100% precipitated by 14 years of disastrous far right governments but the far right are triggered by flags.

 grow up you Little Englanders.

You really have marginalised yourselves. Your armory consists of your obsession with flags and small boats.

 

 

The UK is pretty much ruined at this point. It started with Blair in the late 90s.

 

I am consoled by the fact that most of the people who voted for Starmer will also be the ones who don't have the intellignce or means to move elsewhere and will therefore suffer the consequences of their stupidity. Ageing Pattaya Lib sexpats excluded. 

 

Forget an island of strangers. It will become the island of losers. 

 

I will spend my days in comparative luxury in warmer Asian climates looking at the UK with a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

 

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see the UK begging the IMF for an enormous handout to save itself in the next decade. 

[blaze master]

9 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Oh no, are you another alter ego as well?

 

What ? Are you ok big fella ?

[CG1 Blue]

6 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

All flags, not just union and English ones.

Wrong. The council said they would only remove Palestine flags if they were given police protection. So, Palestine flags remained in place.

If you missed that story I can dig out the link. 

[josephbloggs]

4 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

What ? Are you ok big fella ?

Never mind. 

You replied to someone who seems to think anyone that disagrees with him is an alter ego of brewsterbudgen. Or something. I am not really sure, he seems to be losing the plot accusing people of using multiple accounts.

[sammieuk1]

15 minutes ago, portisaacozzy said:

get back in your pram !!!

Next time use AI you may become more interesting🤔

[Kinnock]

25 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

To be fair you did mention both UK and Thailand. 

My point about the UK was saying that it seems to be illegal to fly the British flag .... clearly meant as a contrast to the position in Thailand where it is illegal to fly any flag except the Thai one.

 

Not a complicated message, but BB/JB was clearly in a hurry to reply and failed to read the post properly.

 

To add to my point  -  flying any flag except the British flags should be illegal in the UK, in the same way that flying none Thai flags is illegal in Thailand.

[Kinnock]

28 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I don't think he read his own post! 

I don't think you read my post before you/JB replied. 

[hotandsticky]

16 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

The UK is pretty much ruined at this point. It started with Blair in the late 90s.

 

I am consoled by the fact that most of the people who voted for Starmer will also be the ones who don't have the intellignce or means to move elsewhere and will therefore suffer the consequences of their stupidity. Ageing Pattaya Lib sexpats excluded. 

 

Forget an island of strangers. It will become the island of losers. 

 

I will spend my days in comparative luxury in warmer Asian climates looking at the UK with a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

 

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see the UK begging the IMF for an enormous handout to save itself in the next decade. 

 

 

Nigel Farage.........................can he fix it?

 

 

 

Yes he can  - now he is assembling a credible team.