By BNN Web Staff
London, 21 Nov 2025 – A significant portion of the British public, especially ethnic minorities, now associates the St George’s Cross – the flag of England – with racism and hostility toward immigrants, according to a new YouGov survey.
Key findings from the poll:
– 52% of ethnic minority adults believe the England flag has become a symbol of racism.
– 39% of the overall British public share that view.
– 42% say the recent surge in England flags on lampposts, bridges, and homes is motivated by discriminatory or anti-migrant sentiment, compared with only 29% who see it as simple patriotism.
– Both white and non-white respondents tend to interpret displays of the flag outside private homes as carrying anti-migrant or anti-minority intent.
The trend of hanging St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags in public spaces accelerated this summer under the banner “Operation Raise the Colours,” widely associated with far-right and anti-immigration groups.
Political Divide Starkly Evident
Views on the England flag fall sharply along party lines:
| Political Affiliation | % who see England flag as racist |
|---|---|
| Green Party voters | 71% |
| Labour voters | 58% |
| Liberal Democrats | 53% |
| Conservative voters | 18% |
| Reform UK voters | 8% |
Union Jack Viewed More Favourably
The Union Jack fares better in public perception:
– Only 39% interpret its display as anti-migrant.
– 30% see it as purely patriotic.
– 24% believe it reflects a mixture of both sentiments.
– Across all parties, far fewer people label the Union Jack as racist compared to the St George’s Cross.
Personal Comfort and Community Tension
While most Britons say they are comfortable with neighbours flying the England flag from their homes, 48% of ethnic minority respondents reported feeling uncomfortable or intimidated by the sight.
Official and Local Backlash
- – Emily Spurrell, chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, warned earlier this week that the mass display of flags is “sowing fear” in communities.
- – In Wiltshire, pub landlord Jerry Kunkler was ordered by his local council to paint over a large St George’s Cross on his pub after it appeared in a Reform UK campaign video – despite the landlord insisting it had originally been painted in support of the England football team.
The YouGov survey highlights a growing polarisation around national symbols in Britain, with the England flag increasingly caught in the crossfire of the country’s heated immigration and identity debate.
