(MENAFN) St. George’s and Union Jack flags have been raised in towns across the UK under a campaign called Operation Raise the Colours, which supporters say reflects national pride and opposition to current migration policies. The initiative, which started in Birmingham and East London, has expanded to Manchester, Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Worcester, Redditch, and York, with patriotic imagery also appearing on streets. Scottish and Irish colors have occasionally been included.

While activists frame the displays as expressions of patriotism, critics have described them as provocative and unsettling, noting links to right-wing groups. Some residents in Birmingham called the flag-raising “wanton vandalism” and “an excuse for xenophobia.” Local councils, including those in Birmingham and Tower Hamlets, have removed some flags citing safety concerns, though critics have highlighted inconsistencies compared with how Palestinian flags are treated.

Reform UK MP Lee Anderson condemned the removal of flags, calling it “a disgrace” and “contempt for the British people.” The campaign coincides with rising public concern over migration. The UK Home Office recently reported record asylum applications of 111,000 through June, while small boat arrivals reached 43,000—a 38% increase from the previous year, mainly from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Sudan, and Syria.

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