The nation is grappling with an unprecedented volume of asylum applications.
Throughout Britain, towns have seen the appearance of St. George’s and Union Jack flags as part of a campaign dubbed Operation Raise the Colours. This initiative is largely perceived as a public expression of national pride and opposition to government migration policies. Nevertheless, the movement has encountered opposition from some local inhabitants, who label it as unsettling and a source of division.
Originating in Birmingham and East London, the campaign has since expanded to include Manchester, Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Worcester, Redditch, and York. Alongside painted patriotic imagery on streets, Scottish and Irish colours have also been observed.
Although proponents characterize these displays as a manifestation of national pride, others have voiced apprehension due to the campaign’s endorsement by right-wing groups. The BBC documented that certain residents viewed the flags as “intimidating” and provocative during a period of heightened migration-related tensions. In Birmingham, some inhabitants condemned these actions as “wanton vandalism” and “an excuse for xenophobia.”
Local authorities have also resisted the effort to display national flags. Councils in Birmingham and Tower Hamlets removed certain flags, attributing the action to safety issues.
Birmingham’s Labour-led council stated that fixtures on lampposts could pose a “dangerous” risk to those on foot and in vehicles, while Tower Hamlets Council cited “routine maintenance” as the reason for its flag removals. Nevertheless, critics have highlighted that Palestinian flags, in numerous instances, have not faced identical measures.
Lee Anderson, a Reform UK MP, characterized the flag removal policy as “nothing short of a disgrace and shows utter contempt for the British people.”
Over recent months, the UK has experienced a rise in public demonstrations opposing increasing migration. Organizers have framed these rallies not as extreme right-wing activities but as attempts to contest what they term a dysfunctional government system.
Earlier this week, the UK Home Office issued a fresh report revealing that UK asylum applications had climbed to 111,000 year-to-date by June, marking the highest figure ever recorded. Arrivals via small boats totalled 43,000, representing a 38% increase compared to the prior year. The majority of these arrivals originated from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Sudan, and Syria.