Thousands raised for guerrilla flag campaign as activists pledge to replace those removed
Left-wing councils wage losing war against Britain’s new swathe of patriotic activists
The ‘flagtivists’ are pledging to replace any taken down by councils (Image: Getty)
Left-wing councils trying to remove the swathe of flags going up on lampposts across the country face waging a losing battle, as Britons donate en masse to pay for new flags. A GoFundMe set up for the York branch of the new patriotic “flagtivist” movement has raised nearly £6,000 in just a couple of days, including a whopping £1,000 from one single generous donor.
More than 184 have since given to the cause, organised by Flag Force UK, which pledges to spend all the money on flags, poles and cable ties. The group also has a new contact form where people can request that flags be put up, and promises to also conduct litter-picking to improve the local area close to the flags. Responding to the influx of donations, Flag Force said the public’s support for the movement “has been staggering”.
Councils have promised to take them down in the interests of ‘public safety’ (Image: Getty)
In a social media post, it added: “So far we have put up around 60 flags in York. All sel- funded. The money we raised yesterday has gone into bulk ordering hundreds more flags and also a donation to a homeless charity who supported us.
“We will post all the invoices and explain where donations went. We will also consider over the next few weeks how much money we need and how this fundraiser can be best spent on patriotic ends.”
The movement sprang up last week after Birmingham council moved to remove a spate of England flags that had gone up across the city’s suburbs.
Despite residents voicing support for the new streetside displays of patriotic pride, the Labour-run local authority claimed it would take them down in the interests of public safety.
It warned: “People who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk.
Reform UK councils pledged to not take down any flags (Image: Getty)
“Placing unauthorised attachments on street furniture, particularly tall structures like lampposts, can be dangerous.”
This sparked outrage as many pointed out the council appeared much happier to fly the flag of India and Pakistan than their own national symbol.
Reform UK’s Lee Anderson hit back: “The biggest risk to safety in Birmingham is the imbeciles running the council.”
The row sparked copycat activism in other parts, including Tower Hamlets in east London, which has been the focus of widespread migrant hotel protests in recent weeks.
On Monday evening, all 12 Reform-run councils signed a pledge announcing they would not remove any flags put up in their patches.
Party leader Nigel Farage said: “Union flags and the Cross of St George should and will fly across the country. Reform UK will never shy away from celebrating our nation.”
Tower Hamlets Council previously refused to remove Palestine flags hanging from lampposts and council buildings.
It eventually bowed to pressure after Jewish families complained they were intimidating and divisive.
