Overview

• Writing in The Sun on Sunday, the prime minister said the flag is a source of pride but accused populists of twisting it to incite division and fear.
• He framed a national choice between a "dark path" of toxicity and a "patriotic path of national renewal," casting the contest as patriots versus populists.
• Starmer acknowledged public anger over struggling services and the economy, warning that a small minority is exploiting that frustration to "whip up hatred."
• His intervention followed a Unite the Kingdom march reported at more than 110,000 people, where many carried national flags and Elon Musk told the crowd to "fight back" or "die."
• Opinium polling reported 54% think he should resign with an approval rating of minus 42%, and church leaders separately condemned the co-opting of Christian symbols at the London rally.