The red and white St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags have appeared across English streets in recent weeks, with supporters calling it an expression of national pride while critics fear it reflects rising anti-immigration sentiment. The flag displays come during a politically charged summer in Britain, where immigration has overtaken the economy as voters’ top concern, according to YouGov polls.

The movement has coincided with protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, particularly in the West Midlands and London’s Isle of Dogs, a diverse area where nearly half of residents were born outside the UK. While groups like the Birmingham-based Weoley Warriors frame the campaign as patriotism, migrant communities and local councils warn it risks fueling division. Some flags have already been removed from council infrastructure, sparking backlash from politicians such as Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick, who called councils’ actions “Britain-hating.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said flags are symbols of heritage but acknowledged concerns over their misuse to stoke conflict. The protests follow riots last year that targeted migrants after misinformation spread online. With far-right figures and even U.S. billionaire Elon Musk amplifying the flag movement on social media, residents remain divided — some see a show of cultural pride, while others worry nationalism could escalate into hostility.

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