Mini-roundabouts in Birmingham have been defiantly painted with red St George's crosses after the city council removed national flags from lamp posts. Footage shows residents coating the road markings in Kings Heath and Yardley Wood over the weekend, turning them into makeshift English flags.
The painted protests emerged following Birmingham City Council's decision to remove St George's and Union Jack flags attached to street furniture by locals. Flags were flown in the Weoley Cross and Northfield neighbourhoods in recent weeks in apparent acts of patriotism.
Similar flag removals have occurred in Tower Hamlets, London, where residents lined Manchester Road with St George's flags as part of an online movement called "Operation Raise the Colours". Flags were spotted on the A1206 on the Isle of Dogs on Monday after campaigners attached them, but only a few remained by the end of the day.
Residents describe flag displays
One Tower Hamlets resident said: "They were all along the street, lots of them. It looked nice really. It was very colourful. I saw them late on Saturday. They just appeared and only noticed they have all gone now."
His neighbour described it as a "very pointed act", explaining: "It was right they should come down as I think it was after the demonstration about asylum." She added that "it was not about community" and normally flags go up "around a celebration or about bringing people together".
Another resident said: "It was all along the road. It was nice. There was nothing wrong with it. It went all along to the Britannia Hotel." The Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf has been at the centre of protests over asylum seekers in recent weeks.
Government backs patriotic displays
The Prime Minister's spokesman backed patriotic flag displays when asked about the council removals. "I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels," the spokesman said.
Asked if Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) supports people putting up English flags, the spokesman said: "Absolutely, patriotism, putting up English flags. We put up English flags all around Downing Street every time the English football team - women's and men's - are out trying to win games for us."
According to Birminghammail, the council removed approximately 200 flags during an LED streetlight upgrade programme. According to dailymail, a council worker named "Tyrone" received abuse and threats during the flag removal process, highlighting the impact on frontline staff.
Political intervention grows
All 12 Reform UK-controlled councils have pledged not to remove national flags from lamp posts, according to dailymail. The political intervention signals growing pressure on local authorities over their flag policies.
Birmingham City Council defended its position, stating residents "are free to fly or hang flags from their homes or gardens" but items cannot be attached to street furniture for health and safety reasons. Tower Hamlets Council cited similar maintenance responsibilities for removing unauthorised flag displays.
Both councils have faced criticism over alleged double standards, as flags have remained on lamp posts in other areas for extended periods. The painted roundabouts represent the latest escalation in a nationwide debate over patriotism and local authority powers.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Birminghammail", "dailymail" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
