Rows of St George’s and United Kingdom flags have been spotted across Newcastle and other UK cities this August, with many attached to lampposts and rooftops.
While some initially appeared during the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 campaign, thousands more have gone up in recent weeks under a grassroots movement known online as Operation Raise the Colours.
What began as a show of support for England’s national team has evolved into something broader, and more controversial.
In Birmingham, a group calling themselves the Weoley Warriors claimed responsibility for lining streets with English and Union Jack flags, describing it as a display of pride in national history and values. Since then, similar displays have appeared in cities across the country, including Newcastle.
But not everyone is on board.
Many online have expressed concern over the symbolism of the St George’s flag, which has historically been used by far-right groups.
Many online have expressed concern over the symbolism of the St George’s flag, which has historically been used by far-right groups. This, paired with ongoing tensions in the UK over immigration and national identity, has led to debates over the motivations behind the displays.
One second-year Media student voiced concerns over the displays:
“I think that the North East is an area that has in the past been susceptible to anti-immigration sentiments.
“My concern, as someone living in the North East, is that the animosity that is being used to fuel the flying of the flag could be a catalyst for another series of racist riots to erupt, as we all saw in North East cities such as Sunderland and Middlesbrough.”
The sudden spread has also caused confusion for local councils, including Birmingham City Council, which initially warned of safety hazards linked to unauthorised flags on lampposts amid ongoing LED streetlight upgrades.
Despite that, the council later clarified it had not removed any St George’s flags during August, stressing that it supports national pride but must also follow health and safety procedures.
Meanwhile, a separate incident in London’s Tower Hamlets, where flags were removed by council workers, sparked outrage among locals and added fuel to the ongoing national debate.
Even for those who haven’t encountered the flag protests directly, the impact is still being felt.
“I have not personally encountered any street demonstrations of the flag protests,” the same student added.
“However, one thing that I definitely have noticed is that the newsfeed on my phone has geared towards the more intensive coverage of the flag protests.
"This is undoubtedly due to how immigration in the current political discourse has come to rival and even overshadow issues such as the cost of living crisis.”
Concerns over the meaning behind the flag’s resurgence continue to grow, particularly in the North East.
As one third-year Politics student put it: “It’s hard to know what the intentions are anymore. The flag has become a battleground in itself.”
“My concerns lie about the narrative of the England flag. I can’t help but think that the flag which is meant to be the symbol of a diverse and tolerable nation is turning into a symbol of hostility.”
“I think it’s important to remember that not every person who lives under the flag holds the xenophobic values of those who are utilising the flag for their anti-immigrant agenda,” a media student added.
The situation continues to unfold, both on the streets and online. For now, the flags fly high - and so does the conversation.