Gamesley joins England’s ‘Raise the Colours’ flag surge

A sudden wave of Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags have appeared on lamp posts, roundabouts and bridges in towns and cities across England, sparking both celebration and controversy.

The displays are linked to an online campaign called ‘Operation Raise the Colours’, promoted as a grassroots show of national pride. The movement began in Birmingham where groups started distributing flags to residents, and has since spread to other parts of the country. 

Residents in Gamesley have recently put flags on every other lamp post around the ring road of their estate, drawing attention and sparking conversations across the community. 

The national campaign has drawn criticism after figures from the far right, including Tommy Robinson and Britain First, voiced their support. Opponents say the movement is less about patriotism and more about stoking anti-immigration sentiment during a time of heightened tensions over asylum housing. 

Some local councils have begun removing unauthorised flags from public property, citing safety concerns. Their actions have drawn fire from Conservative politicians such as Robert Jenrick, who accused “Britain-hating” councils of undermining national pride. Leader of the Conservative party Kemi Badenoch also weighed in, saying it was “shameful” that councils were tearing down England’s national symbol. 

It does appear that Prime Minister Kier Starmer is supportive of the campaign, with his spokesperson saying he "absolutely" supports those who put up British and English flags and underscored that patriotism “will always be an important thing.” 

Reactions on the ground remain mixed. Some residents describe the flags as a welcome reminder of community identity, while others see them as a divisive symbol tied to exclusion and hostility. 

The sudden surge of flags highlights wider divisions in England about national identity, immigration, and the meaning of patriotism. With both supporters and critics digging in, the debate shows no sign of slowing down.