Operation Reclaim The Colours
What is a flag, if not just a pattern of colours, a symbol, that acquires meaning over time?
For the last few weeks there's been a movement of sorts, called Operation Raise The Colours, planting Union Jacks and English flags all over England, and, to a lesser extent, Wales. I can't recall exactly how it started - the details are lost in the constant reportage about migrant hotels and the rest - but I think it had something to do with a council dispaying the Palestinian flag while condemning the English flag as a symbol of the far-right.
Following that, the English flag and Union Jack featured prominently in the (mainly unreported) protests happening in many places around Britain. A few roundabouts were painted here and there. A rather prescient meme is doing the rounds about how the fastest way to get bins emptied and potholes fixed is to paint them white with a red cross. Most would probably think that doing so would be an act of defiance against The System, but I think it's more an indictment of 'austerity'.
British patriotism and our relationship with flags might be somewhat confusing to American readers. The Union Jack isn't really a flag of our homeland, or of Britain, but more a brand for the British establishment. The Union Jack also isn't usually displayed outside the area of southern England - interestingly, the same area that was occupied by the Anglo Saxons during the Dark Ages. Most patriotic people in Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, the North, etc. will display their own regions' flags, and they're not very fond of the Union Jack. Regional flags can't easily be co-opted by the far-right, because they're already displayed by institutions and businesses. That's especially the case in Wales and Cornwall.
Even if there are questionable intentions behind Operation Raise The Colours, I think it's something the political left could use strategically. It's more constructive to rediscover our pride in what we believe our regional flags represent, than to put our faith in one person or political party. There was a brief period in British history when our nation was truly liberal, inclusive and compassionate, and we need to rediscover how we got there.
Also, should the English flag or Union Jack get co-opted by the far-right, the regional flags might well become symbols of defiance against it.