Flag Up Division

OPINIONS on flying the St George cross and union flags remain divided with tensions increasing as racist graffiti is removed from a golf course. 

The “foul and mis – spelt” words were taken off the garages on the Shelthorpe club as a county councillor collected signatures for a petition of complaint to Leicestershire County Council, responsible for roads and lamp – posts  that stated it will only remove flags if they present a danger to road safety. 

Although a customer service worker claimed the county council is taking the flags down as they go up the roads, like many in the country remain lined with the national symbols since the start of Operation Raising the Colours gained momentum on social media.  

One resident who works at the university said seeing the flags flying on the Epinal Way has made her feel unhappy and threatened. 

“I fear where this is heading,” she said as a poster was put up off Ling Road on Allendale Road claiming everyone is welcome no matter their nationality or race and calling to ‘love Loughborough’. 

Charnwood Borough Council released a statement requesting unity while one councillor branded the flag flying an illegal distraction with flying flags on lamp – posts without permission distracting and dangerous. 

She said she’s been told of children being seen being sent up lamp – posts on Ling Road to attach the colours and some of the non – white British community feel intimidated and unhappy to let their children walk home alone from school. 

As Derby City Council said it will begin to remove the flags, one city councillor told of rape threats on social media preventing her from going out and a parish council in Worcester said it will take down the flags on Armistice Day.  

Some of Loughborough’s ethnic minority communities said it reminds them of previous times when racism was more commonplace and although British, they feel they must justify living in the UK. 

Andy Johnson of Shelthorpe said he’s concerned it could be the start of a worsening situation and he worries for his kids. 

“I got it hard in the 1970s, one of the few families of colour on Shelthorpe but my kids haven’t experienced racism like I did and I worry about them,” he said. Another resident of the estate expressed her unhappiness at waking up to see through her kitchen window the St George cross flying. 

“I was reminded of being racially abused in the school playground,” she said. 

Charnwood Borough Council said: “as community leaders, we urge all residents and organisations to approach these matters with tolerance and mutual respect. Differences of opinion are natural and healthy in any vibrant community, but they must be expressed in ways that do not cause distress or division.” 

But the matter has been complicated by Prime Minister Keir Starmer supporting flying flags saying it’s good to show pride in your country. 

“I fly a flag in my flat,” said Sir Starmer.  

One councillor said if people wish to fly flags they can use a flagpole in their garden.