Racism or patriotism? flags fly in UK towns

The sight of saltires, English flags and Union Jacks has become an increasingly common sight. This has been sparking questions and confusion on just why these flags are being displayed in towns across the UK.

With some seeing it as a hateful act and others seeing it as an act of patriotism, it's hard to get precisely what these flags are supposed to suggest.

The trend originally started with the #raisethecolours, which was a movement to cover the UK in flags. They claim that it was to show patriotism and that "we belong to something bigger", but is it having the desired effect?

Union Jack flying in front of woman- Wix images

The main party backing this movement is Reform UK, a party that has preventing illegal immigration as one of its top priorities, which leads some to wonder if this could be a tactic to scare immigrants.

However the people behind the movement claim that there is no racist intent behind it and that it is simply a way to show their patriotism in a time when the UK is divided.

Jane Cassidy, assistant editor for The National, said: "I think this is an entirely separate way that the saltire is being used now, in a way that would support Brexit, which Scotland didn't."

Councils around the UK are divided in their beliefs. These flags are being put up on lamp posts and signs which are maintained by councils, with some of them claiming it can be a safety risk, especially as the winter weather comes in with high winds and rain.

As these flags are being held with zip ties, there are some worries that they will come apart and end up flying away in the wind.

The flags being put up in Scotland are similar to those in England. Still, there is one main difference: Scotland is very much a segregated country politically, with sectarianism being a huge problem. Some see the Union Jack as a flag that shouldn't be used to represent Scotland.

The SNP has used the Scottish flag for years, but most notably, it was used in the 2014 independence referendum as a way to show Scotland and its desire for independence.

The flags now being used to display unionism and patriotism negate how it was used as a symbol of independence in the past and have left many people across Scotland confused about why these flags are being hung across the country.

Cassidy went on to say: "We've certainly had stories in the paper about people being upset at the saltire being used in a certain way in communities. We've also had stories of council workers taking down these flags, and people have been attacked while doing their jobs.

"I think the way it's been used now really goes against the way it's been used in the last few years or so."

The discussion about these flags and their importance will probably continue to change as the UK struggles with the ramifications of flying them in public, reflecting the changing identity of the region and its citizens. So the central question remains is it racism or patriotism?