Flags being taken down !

'Context' and 'intent' are the keys.
Are they being flown in places with mixed communities?
Are they intended to make incomers feel unwelcome?

Why would I make an exhibition of my political opinions

I was in a neighbouring town the other day, and saw them for the first time (apart from the couple I’ve seen on road bridges elsewhere).

The town is deprived, with a high crime rate and unemployment. Why there would be a sudden upsurge in love of England here is beyond me. It was obviously an anti-immigration statement.

Visiting friends last week, their estate was full of England flags from bedroom windows. I didnt think ' oh these people love England'. I thought, 'these people ares aying ' immigrants not welcome'.
Context is everything. As others have said here, in the US flags are a normal way of life. In the UK they only tend to come out on highdays.

MollyNew

We were driving along the motorway a couple of days ago and there were flags attached to the overhead bridges. Some had become partially detached. I wouldn't like to be driving along if one of them became totally detached and landed on my vehicle.

Yes, I was on the M42 today, and there was one flapping below a bridge, hanging just from one string. It was raining heavily, and it could so easily have detached and landed on somebody’s windscreen. I’m totally against anything potentially obstructing the highway in any way, it’s hazardous.

There are a few locally, but none have been taken down. Some are looking very tatty quite quickly. It's given me new respect for the quality of the few that are raised occasionally in churches , town halls, etc.

We were driving along the motorway a couple of days ago and there were flags attached to the overhead bridges. Some had become partially detached. I wouldn't like to be driving along if one of them became totally detached and landed on my vehicle.

If people want to put up banners on public land they have to apply to the local authority for permission to do so, even if they are promoting a charity fete. Why should people get away with putting up flags - any flags? - on lamp-posts without authorisation? And people who paint flags on mini-roundabouts are putting themselves at risk.

ginny

It does depend on the reasoning behind flying a flag on your premises.
However, I don’t t see why we shouldn’t. I certainly don’t think that not wanting to offend refugees or any other cultures should be single a reason.

It is only the OP who tells us that the reason for taking the flags down is 'apparently' to avoid giving the wrong impression to refugees, so not a cast iron source by any means. I very much doubt that his/her 'council anti-social team' will have any such brief, but maybe Badgerboy will come back to link to some sort of evidence.

Never have been any here.

People are obviously secure in their Britishness.

In America it is much more common to see the “Stars & Stripes” up flagpoles in gardens.

We have many still flying in my area - Union flags and England ones.
Mostly on roundabouts of major roads.
I have nothing to back this up but feel it is a passing fad; something started on social media and it became “a thing”.
It will probably pass. Before this Summer only a few houses had patriotic flags in their gardens.

It does depend on the reasoning behind flying a flag on your premises.
However, I don’t t see why we shouldn’t. I certainly don’t think that not wanting to offend refugees or any other cultures should be single a reason.

It's illegal under the Highways Act 1980 unless permission has been given. CarriadAgain.

That took about two seconds to find. Couldnt see the word "lampposts" in this - in either direction.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/flying-flags-a-plain-english-guide

lixy

Many St George’s cross flags along the main A road here, especially at roundabouts.

If it was a longstanding practice, as it is in America, to fly the flag I wouldn’t be concerned at all. The motivation behind the current patriotic display worries me a great deal and I wish the flags would come down here.

This.

Off to google if it really is against the law to fly flags from lampposts - as the relevant law hasnt been quoted - so we don't know if it really exists.

Ours were taken down in the morning, back up in the afternoon 👍🏻

Plenty here, both from lamp posts and in other places, they look to be secured well.
I like to see them tbh and think for the future it will become more common, taking our flag back from any far right groups.
The big demonstration today looks to be peaceful, plenty of flag waving but no bad behaviour so far which is good.

Do you display a flag Badgerboy to show pride in your country, if so, have you always done so, as the Americans have?
Or, have you just recently discovered your love for your country and urge to actively promote it?

No flags in my area. I agree with lixy the motivation for the recent flag hanging is concerning.

Many St George’s cross flags along the main A road here, especially at roundabouts.

If it was a longstanding practice, as it is in America, to fly the flag I wouldn’t be concerned at all. The motivation behind the current patriotic display worries me a great deal and I wish the flags would come down here.

I expect there'll be some flag-waving tonight.

Last Night of the Proms!

Thank goodness Harris they re still flapping here

There are lots of Palestinian flags attached to lamp posts around Birmingham. Nobody has taken them down.