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simply emphasis that these are assets which belong to the nation, ie nationalised, it obviously wouldn't mean that no one else would be allowed to fly flag
Well, it doesn't work then, does it.
Anyway... avoid the comments on that Guide Fawkes piece... full of the usual homophobia.
Read Owen Jones' own account instead:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/30/keir-starmer-labour-conference-pass-revoked
Personally I believe that the union flag should be flown over every state school, NHS hospital, nationalised railway station, and any other state asset which belongs to the people. To instill a sense of pride, community and belonging, and ownership.
Mate, you need a lot more than a flag to deliver those things ffs. Without anything to really be proud of and feel a part of, the flag just looks like an empty gesture and will only make things worse.
Well, it doesn't work then, does it.
What do you mean "it doesn't work'? When was the last time you saw the union flag flying over a state owned railway station?
The union flag should be seen as a symbol of community, belonging, and ownership, when was the last time you saw it used in that way?
The last time I saw it being used in any way was by grown adults who had been told to wave miniature versions when a deeply unpopular Prime Minister stood before them as he desperately tried to rescue his failing political career.
A scene which was cringe-inducingly embarrassing!
Lot of English people saying English things on the thread this morning.
Personally I'd prefer it if every day didn't have to feel like I'd accidently stumbled into an Orange march but if you reckon Scotland and NI would do better with a bit of English (sorry, that should be UK) national pride then I guess we can't stop you. It's your country, after all.
Yawn. Scotland voted to remain in the union. If we'd driven the tanks in and kept them in the union against their will I would agree with you, but we didn't.
So what? You just show your ignorance of how the union flag or Butchers apron is seen by a significant % of the UK population not just in Scotland but also in Wales and NI
In the other three countries of the UK mandating flying the union flag would be seen as divisive
No I mean the whole of the UK. It's the national flag of the UK so should be flown in all parts of the UK, even if some people are offended.
so you want to do something that would be seen as divisive and would be offensive to a section of the UK population? Can you not see3 how counterproductive this would be?
Read up on "the butchers apron".
I would gently point out to Nigel Farage and others that before we left the EU, we had a returns agreement with every country in the EU. And he told the country it will make no difference if we left. Well, he was wrong about that. These are Farage boats, in many senses, that are coming across the channel.
I love the term 'Farage Boats' about time this was said
"Why is Starmer obsessed with Farage?" seems to be the headline everywhere. It's one way to counter Labour trying to take the fight to Reform I suppose.
The union flag should be seen as a symbol of community, belonging, and ownership, when was the last time you saw it used in that way?
Should it? Why? Why would forcing people to fly it change that? A flag is a symbol of everything it has been used for in the past, not what you want it to be right now.
We have a healthy level of devolution and local administration across the UK (could do with more IHMO), including in England. There's no need for the UK government to be mandating flag flying... leave that to the elected administrations that look after the buildings.
What do you mean "it doesn't work'?
I mean, you can't use a flag to signify state ownership if it can be flown on private buildings.
seems to be the headline everywhere. It's one way to counter Labour trying to take the fight to Reform I suppose
Will just encourage their voters to back Farage even more.
They can't win like this unless they point out Farage's enthusiasm for private capital, free markets, de-regulation and trickle-down.
"Oh dear on that then."
They can't win like this unless they point out Farage's enthusiasm for private capital, free markets, de-regulation and trickle-down.
That is where it becomes difficult as Labour are now not so much against that as they used to be/should be.
despite the fact to a significant % of the population the Union flag is offensive? Half the population of Scotland. wales and NI. Or do you mean just in England?
Come off it. Half the population of Scotland and Wales do not see the union jack as "offensive". There is a certain proportion of people in Scotland who would like independence (and a smaller proportion in Wales), but that doesn't mean they're reacting like vampires to garlic when they see the union jack.
I don't think more flags are the solution to any pressing problem.
Why would forcing people to fly it change that?
So now we are talking about "forcing" people to fly the flag. Wow. How did we get there?
Gotta say I am bemused how some people appear to get so offended by the sight of the UK's state flag, I wonder how many other countries have a similar problem?
Still for some people getting offended over trivial issues is an important part of their political being.
Personally I believe that the union flag should be flown over every state school, NHS hospital, nationalised railway station, and any other state asset which belongs to the people. To instill a sense of pride, community and belonging, and ownership.
Good trolling
Gotta say I am bemused how some people appear to get so offended by the sight of the UK's state flag, I wonder how many other countries have a similar problem?
Still for some people getting offended over trivial issues is an important part of their political being.
Im not offended. I am a brit. However I do understand how divisive this would be in Scotland NI and I assume wales ( tho Wales does not have the sectarianism of course)
Good trolling
It's probably easier to just say that you don't agree. Although I appreciate that it puts pressure on the need to explain why you don't agree.
Accusing someone of trolling appears to be the preferred choice of those who are unable to provide their own argument
Owen Jones at the Labour Conference.
You can just tell by Lord Mardi Mann's (my old MP - Tosser) and Akehursts's demeanor how far they want to go to protect their fanatisism, and bury everyone else's voice. Literally taking the mic away.
These people know they are wrong. That's what comes across
This is great Journalism - not the Sunday Morning cosy shite we get which does nothing to forward democracy but proper taken to the cleaners.
You know how bad things are when Michael Gove admits failures of neoliberalism.
Jones was banned from the conference over 'safe-guarding' issues.
As far as I know he's never been banned before.
https://twitter.com/rivkahbrown/status/1973332772132720713?t=RrdWdk2l4wNpZGa5jjPvtQ&s=19
So now we are talking about "forcing" people to fly the flag. Wow. How did we get there?
You said it should be flown over government buildings? That means compulsion, doesn't it?
Gotta say I am bemused how some people appear to get so offended by the sight of the UK's state flag, I wonder how many other countries have a similar problem?
I have to say ernie, you do the whole innocent bemusement act very well.
And then you get to be offended because people just call you out rather than playing your game. "Why aren't you explaining to me why the union jack might be considered offensive in NI and Scotland? I'm bemused!"
Playing the victim is always a good strategy to win the internet.
Personally I prefer to do my shitposting on reddit but each to their own, I guess.
Preference has never been much cop as a preventative measure/LOL RU SURE?
I have to say ernie, you do the whole innocent bemusement act very well. [Mod edit]
Sorry who are these [removed] that I am supposedly winding up because I don't go along with the pathetic liberal lefty/SWP bollocks about getting wound up by the sight of the union flag?
There is nothing wrong with the union flag, just use appropriately, don't drape yourself in it or wave about miniature versions of it like some sort of deranged halfwit 💡
Edit : Btw when did bemused become "offended"?
I leave being offended to other people who are much better at it than me 🙃
[ I can't follow this edited thread at all now, it's all gone a bit weird ]
Sorry, you're going to have to work on your subtlety if you want me to bite. Others might so you just crack on with 'wondering' why people in NI or the West of Scotland might get offended if every public building suddenly sprouted union jacks.
[ I can't follow this edited thread at all now, it's all gone a bit weird ]
Sorry, my fault. I used offensive terms for Scottish and Irish people which I didn't think were that offensive but happy to be corrected.
[ I can't follow this edited thread at all now, it's all gone a bit weird ]
Unacceptable terms were used to describe non-English Brits, they were deleted.
Unacceptable in polite company I mean.
non-English Brits
hmm, you just won't stop trying will you*.
I'm sure everyone in Dublin would love to hear more about how they are non-English Brits.
*While I'm sure this was simply an honest mistake on your part I'm also aware of how you simply can't ever admit to mis-speaking so I'm just making this post as I'm curious to see how you are going to take a commonly accepted derogatory term for Irish people and try to convince us it only refers to the residents of NI who hold British passports.
Anyway, I'll try to stop talking about this now as I know you only brought up the flag thing to amuse yourself and it's amusing to me now but I'm aware it's probably not amusing for everyone else.
non-English Brits
hmm, you just won't stop trying will you*.
I'm sure everyone in Dublin would love to hear more about how they are non-English Brits.
Oh ffs what on earth is wrong with you?!? 🤣
I have no idea why the term "non-English Brit" should be a problem or what it has to do with Dublin!
I have suggested flying the union flag in the UK, I haven't said anything about Ireland. Obviously.
Anyway, I'll try to stop talking about this now
What a good idea....
Can we have a lists of do's and don't with the flag please. Im worried about being a deranged halfwit
I have suggested flying the union flag in the UK, I haven't said anything about Ireland. Obviously.
The UK and Ireland, and their people, overlap. Obviously.
Sorry, can't resist.
I used a derogatory term for Irish people.
You said it was it was a term used to describe non-English Brits. Therefore, you were saying Irish people are non-English Brits.
I know it was a slip but I also know you can't admit to any kind of mistake so I just want to see how you manage to explain how it wasn't a mistake and Irish people are, in fact, non-English Brits.
So, flag shagging aside, predictions on which demographic is going to get shafted by the tax rises in the autumn budget?
I think we can rule out multinational companies, offshored individuals and politicians... Other than that it seems like it's going to be be a spin of the wheel..
Place your bets!
Irish people are, in fact, non-English Brits.
It's you that brought up the Irish in the moderated post, not me. And the Scottish, although bizarrely not the Welsh. I am suggesting that it's okay to fly the union flag in the United Kingdom, that's all, it's not complicated
Can we have a lists of do's and don't with the flag please. Im worried about being a deranged halfwit
Not following the thread? Let me help you, from the top of this page....
Personally I believe that the union flag should be flown over every state school, NHS hospital, nationalised railway station, and any other state asset which belongs to the people. To instill a sense of pride, community and belonging, and ownership.
To wave a little flag moronically, or to drape yourself in one, or to surround yourself with flags, to create and emphasis division and feed bigotry, as the far/hard-right do, is not something which anyone who claims to be left-wing and progressive should be doing.
Gotta to say though, I'm not sure what I looks more pathetic imo, people who go around attaching flags on lampposts and other public places, or people who feel "offended" by flags and quickly go around taking them down.
They are just flags, use them appropriately.
Good trolling
It's probably easier to just say that you don't agree. Although I appreciate that it puts pressure on the need to explain why you don't agree.
Accusing someone of trolling appears to be the preferred choice of those who are unable to provide their own argument
😃
It's you that brought up the Irish in the moderated post, not me. And the Scottish, although bizarrely not the Welsh. I am suggesting that it's okay to fly the union flag in the United Kingdom, that's all, it's not complicated
That it's OK to fly the union flag in the United Kingdom is not the only think you are suggesting You also also suggesting Irish people are 'non-English Brits'. That you don't just include the people of NI as your 'non-English Brits' but the entire island is a particularly nice touch.
You're also desperately trying to throw the Welsh into the mix now (not sure if there is much sectarianism in Wales) because you really really don't want to admit you mis-spoke.
Most people would be able to go, 'Oops, I made a mistake' but not you. I feel like I'm kind of torturing you now because you have quite clearly made a mistake and I keep pointing it out but you physically don't seem to be capable of admitting it was a brain fart.
I know this all started because you were trolling us with you flag thing but now I'm starting to feel like I'm the one trolling you by simply pointing out a small mistake you made.
To wave a little flag moronically,
im still struggling with what sort of waving counts as moronically. Is there a clever way I should be doing it?
They are just flags, use them appropriately.
Using what is seen as sectarian symbols is not appropriate in some places. Using the butchers apron is not appropriate in some places. happy to help
You see it as a sectarian symbol, I see it as the flag of the United Kingdom. My view is aligned with most people's, yours isn't. Happy to help.
Considering the fact you see the UK and Ireland as consisting of English Brits and non-English Brits I can see why you would not see a problem. And yes, probably the majority of the population of England's views align with yours.
Anyway, Bob Vylan provide guidance on how not to wave a flag moronically:
I actually see it as a symbol of a genocidal regime
It IS a secatarian symbol in some places
Considering the fact you see the UK and Ireland as consisting of English Brits and non-English Brits I can see why you would not see a problem.
I have no idea what you are on about, yes I consider some British people not to be English, it never occurred to me that might be a problem for anyone. I am obviously treading on some sort of woke midfield which you have decided to invent.
I actually used the term "non-English Brits" when explaining to Kelvin why your post had been moderated because I simply thought that it was the easiest way to describe it.
I also pointed out that the terms you used would only be a problem in polite company, in attempt to play down their offensiveness, I wish I'd never bothered!🤣
Wait, do you actually think Irish people are British?