“Operation Raise the Colours”: England’s Flag Campaign Sparks Pride and Deep Division
Across towns from Birmingham to London, red-white Crosses of St George and Union Jacks are popping up, symbolizing national pride to some, and exclusion or intimidation to others. Known as Operation Raise the Colours, this grassroots campaign has transformed routine displays into a flashpoint of identity politics.
What Is ‘Operation Raise the Colours’?
Launched in July 2025, the campaign initially presented itself as a show of support for England during the Women’s Euro. Participants were encouraged to tie flags to lampposts, paint crosses onto roundabouts, and express English pride in public space. According to Wikipedia, “Operation Raise the Colours” has quickly evolved into a broader movement reflecting patriotism and, critics argue, nationalist sentiment. (Wikipedia)
Supporters and Detractors
Advocates claim the campaign is non-partisan and inclusive, with endorsements from prominent figures across the political spectrum including Conservative Bryon Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, and even Labour’s Keir Starmer, who emphasised the right to display flags. (The Times)
However, critics and anti-racist groups like Stand Up to Racism and Hope Not Hate argue there’s a darker undercurrent. They note the campaign’s backing by far-right figures, including Britain First and Tommy Robinson, warning the movement is being weaponised to intimidate minority communities amid a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment. (The Guardian | Hope Not Hate)
Frustration Over Illegal Crossings and ‘Two-Tier Justice’
The rise of Operation Raise the Colours also comes against a backdrop of increasing frustration over illegal small boat crossings in the English Channel, which have surpassed 50,000 this year. Many protesters frame the flag campaign as a response to what they see as government failures on border control. (Fidelis News reporting)
At the same time, critics of the government point to what they describe as a two-tier justice system arguing that ordinary citizens face harsher policing and prosecution while migrant-related offences or disruptive protests are treated more leniently. This perception has further fuelled support for the flag campaign as an act of defiance and solidarity among ordinary residents.
Local Flashpoints and Council Reactions
Ordered from Birmingham, the movement spread through cities like York, Manchester, Coventry, and Tower Hamlets often painting national symbols in everyday spaces. YouGov polling indicates mixed views: a majority support the flag privately, but many feel uneasy about its public display amid rising nationalism. (The Week)
Some councils removed flags from public fixtures, citing safety and lack of permission, triggering backlash from supporters who accuse them of bias pointing out that other cultural flags, like Palestinian ones, were left untouched. The Independent highlights this double-standard controversy. (The Independent)
Why It Matters Now
Operation Raise the Colours reignites a debate over England’s identity a long-overlooked aspect of UK politics. Commentators like Kathleen Stock argue inclusive national expressions are overdue, but only if they repudiate the racism that has co-opted symbols before. (The Times)
Meanwhile, Guardian columnist John Harris warns the campaign could mark a dangerous moment for the emboldening of far-right nationalism in Britain drawing uncomfortable parallels with Northern Ireland’s sectarian symbolism. (The Guardian)
Public Pulse
Supporters, like Bartender Livvy McCarthy, see no harm in open pride: “It’s our flag, what’s the problem?” (Reuters)
But others, especially in diverse areas like East London, describe an atmosphere of unease. One resident reflects: “It’s worrying when nationalism starts to take a different tone.” (Reuters)
What’s Next
Operation Raise the Colours is still evolving. With no central organisation and deep distrust between supporters and critics, the results remain uncertain. Will the flag become a symbol of shared identity or one of division?
Fidelis News is free to read but not free to make.
By Fidelis News Staff | 28 August 2025
