A Labour MP fears for the safety of his constituents from the ‘continued presence’ of nationalist flags as he hits out ‘at ‘weird’ roundabout painters.
Dr Jeevun Sandher, MP for Loughborough, wrote to the council arguing flags are ‘tatty’ and that they ‘risk detaching and falling into the road’.
He also told the Reform-controlled authority that constituents found the flags ‘unwelcoming’, adding that they make people feel ‘uncomfortable in their own community’.
In recent months, ‘patriotic’ Brits across the country have placed flags on lamp-posts, hung them motorway bridges, painted them on cows and even used them as parachutes.
Supporters argue the movement is a display of British pride. But critics say their motivations could be more sinister.
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In a video posted to X, Dr Sandher said: ‘Here I am with flags flying from almost every single lampost.
‘They are getting a bit tatty, the cable ties are coming loose, they could blow off in the wind. And then I see flags painted on roundabouts and that is just a bit weird.’
The MP, whose wife served in the British Army, goes on to say: ‘I’m proud of my country too and I’m proud of our flag. But I understand why others say it is about excluding people.’
He wrote in his letter to Leicestershire County Council that ‘displays of national pride have their rightful place, but lampposts are not it’.
He said: ‘Flags put up in the dead of night, tied to every lamp-post, do not feel like a celebration of community spirit.
‘For many they feel [like] a statement about who belongs and who does not. The fact our fellow Brits feel unease should make us all pause and reflect.’
Do you think flags should be taken down?
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Yes
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No
‘Our communities quite rightly expect us to take action and we will do. I’m proud of our communities, our heritage and our country and I’m keen to explore how we can celebrate this across Leicestershire.’
In response to the Labour MP’s letter, Leicestershire council leader Dan Harrison told Metro: ‘I love seeing both the Union Flags and St George’s Cross flying proudly across the county and it’s great to see people being patriotic.
‘I’ve always said that flying flags must be done safely where there is no serious risk, but otherwise these flags are a welcome addition.’
The council said: ‘While it’s actually an offence to attach anything to a street light without permission, highways teams will only step in if flags attached to lamp-posts, or other street furniture, pose a serious safety risk, but people are being asked not to paint or graffiti mini-roundabouts and crossings, which is illegal.’
Leicestershire police and crime commissioner Rupert Matthews backed the county council, urging constituents to ‘obey the law relating to flags when raising the colours’.
The latest influx of England flags appears to have started on the streets of Weoley Castle, a short drive outside of Birmingham.
This was the work of a group called the Weoley Warriors, who describe themselves as ‘proud English men’ on a fundraising page which has so far collected more than £20,000 for ‘flags, poles and cable ties’.
Metro has approached Dr Sandher for comment.