Some locals believe the flags are ‘racist’ and ‘aggressive’.
Some residents believe the flags are ‘racist’ (Image: Getty)
A furious row has erupted in a UK seaside town full of English and British flags, with some locals arguing they are “disgusting and racist”. The flag debate appears to have sparked controversy among Seaford residents – the same town where a woman was “pushed to the floor” after confronting two men erecting flags along an A-road.
The incident occurred when a Lewes District Councillor approached the men while they were hoisting flags on the lampposts along the A259 in Seaford on October 13, police said. They then became involved in a verbal disagreement, which quickly turned physical as the woman was “pushed to the floor”. One person was arrested, and police are looking for another
A furious flag debated has erupted in Seaford (Image: Getty)
Union Jacks and St George’s flags have been attached to flagpoles, railings, signs and lampposts across the country in recent months as part of a campaign known as Operation Raise the Colours.
The campaign has proved controversial. Some Brits say it is patriotic, while others claim it makes them feel uncomfortable.
Seaford resident Kim Atkinson,72, called the flags “disgusting”, adding that “people should not fly the flags”.
One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Argus: “I think it’s a bit scary because it sounds like the right-wing is trying to take over this part of the country.
“Some people believe it needs to be England, but there is more to England than just being [English].”
One local called the flags ‘disgusting’ (Image: Getty)
Whilst Anne Buttersfield believes the flags can be flown high during the World Cup and Euro’s but outside of this it feels “agressive”.
She added: “The islands in the Pacific that are going to disappear under the water. What are we going to do with those people?
“We can’t say stay in your boats… So I do feel it’s aggressive.”
Offering a differing opinion Michael Bond, 74, said: “I’m very proud [of the flags] because my wife and I have served our country. “I think it’s sad that the flags are linked to negative things rather than positive things.”
How did it all start?
The flag debate first unfolded during the Women’s Euros, with families showing their support by hanging out flags from windows or on poles outside their gardens.
Weeks later, Birmingham locals attached English and British flags to lamp posts Labour-run Birmingham Council, which declared itself broke in September 2023, claimed those attaching flags “could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk” despite being up to 25ft off the ground.
Debate over the issue began to rage with critics pointing out that Palestinian flags have flown elsewhere on the streets of the city where 29.9% of residents are Muslim, since the war in Gaza began in 2023. This prompted flags across the country to be hoisted.
