Essex County Council is offering support to staff who feel "unsettled" by the increasing visibility of St George's and Union Jack flags across the county. According to GB News, an internal email was sent to the authority's Children and Families Senior Leadership Team encouraging employees to reach out if they were feeling affected by the flag displays.
The email specifically states that while the symbols "may hold different meanings for different people", they recognised that "for many, particularly our colleagues of colour, they can evoke feelings of discomfort and be associated with anti-immigration rhetoric". Staff were told they could speak to line managers, service managers, or directors for support.
Council's contradictory position
Despite the internal concerns, Essex County Council says it "proudly" flies the St George's Cross outside its headquarters in Chelmsford. A spokesman defended the email as offering "reassurance and the opportunity to seek support" to employees working in areas like Epping, where high-profile protests have occurred alongside the current flag-flying campaign.
The authority covers Epping Forest, where a series of protests broke out outside an asylum seeker hotel. The flag displays are part of what sources describe as a grassroots "Operation Raise The Colours" campaign that has spread across England.
National debate over patriotism
The flag controversy has sparked heated debate about national identity and patriotism. On GB News, political commentator Nigel Nelson described the trend as "a bit silly" and "a fad", saying people would "get fed up very quickly about going up lampposts to put the flags there".
Dr Renee Hoenderkamp responded strongly, telling Nelson: "The flag is our national flag, our flag should mean identity, our flag should mean being English. It's people like you that have allowed this approach to our national heritage, to our national pride."
Wider campaign responses
Other councils are taking different approaches to the flag displays appearing on lamp posts, bridges, trees and memorial sites. Manchester council allows flags but warns against painting mini-roundabouts, citing safety concerns and proper respect for national symbols.
An RAF veteran has voiced support for flag displays at war memorials, arguing that those commemorated "fought for that very flag". The displays appear to be a response to recent protests and immigration debates, with traditionally unifying national symbols becoming increasingly politically divisive.
Sources used: "GB News", "Manchester Evening", "Birmingham Mail"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
