Conservative Figures Rally Behind ‘Raise the Colours’ Movement
In a notable shift on the political landscape, Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick is positioning himself alongside the ‘Raise the Colours’ movement, which advocates for the display of national flags in the UK. Demonstrating his support, Jenrick shared an image of himself hanging a flag and penned an opinion piece in a right-leaning newspaper where he asserted that people are “mobilising to restore the country they know and love,” reports 24brussels.
Filling the Vacuum
This emerging movement poses a significant challenge for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the beleaguered leader of the center-left Labour Party. Since assuming leadership in 2020, Starmer has been keen to project a patriotic image, frequently appearing before the Union Jack and celebrating events like St. George’s Day.
Currently on holiday, Starmer communicated through his spokesman that he endorses the expression of pride in the national flag and values, highlighting that flags are prominently displayed at Downing Street during England’s international sporting events.
However, Sunder Katwala, director of the think tank British Future, expresses caution. He argues that political leaders, including Starmer, must take a firmer stance on the ‘Raise the Colours’ movement, emphasizing that while public pride in national identity is commendable, acts of vandalism should not be tolerated. Furthermore, he insists that politicians from both left and right, particularly from ethnic minority backgrounds, need to challenge the misconception that the national flag exclusively represents one demographic.
