Overview

• An online push known as Operation Raise the Colours has accelerated the hanging and painting of St George’s and Union flags across towns, with Hope Not Hate pointing to far-right figures helping to drive the effort.
• Home secretary Yvette Cooper voiced support for flying national flags, telling Times Radio to "put ’em up anywhere," while emphasizing they should bring people together rather than be used for division.
• Prime minister Keir Starmer said he supports national symbols and has a St George’s flag at home, but warned that using flags purely to divide "devalues" them.
• Local responses vary under the Highways Act: some authorities have removed or painted over unauthorised or unsafe displays and warned of safety risks, Wiltshire called road paintings vandalism that will cost taxpayers to fix, and Norfolk County Council said removals are not a priority.
• Police forces are investigating criminal damage and racist graffiti linked to recent flag activity, and Norwich MP Clive Lewis condemned flags outside a migrant hotel as territorial displays after being advised by police not to attend counter-demonstrations.