Raise the Colours ban ‘long overdue’ after Oxford ‘intimidation’

The divisive movement has been given orders by Oxfordshire County Council to stop placing England and Union Jack flags on lampposts and telegraph poles.

County council leader Liz Leffman said Raise the Colours’ actions are not patriotic as they claim, but are an “act of intimidation and division” within communities.

The Liberal Democrat added: “Our residents report feeling distressed, unwelcome and unsafe in their own neighbourhoods.”

Liz Leffman (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

Reacting to the banning order, Labour city councillor Anna Railton said she is “pleased” the county council is “now crystal clear on this so this group or similar can’t claim to members of the public they’ve got permission”.

She reiterated her previous point she made earlier that Raise the Colours is “not welcome back to Oxford”.

READ MORE: Raise the Colours given formal notice to stop putting up England flags

Susanna Pressel, an Oxford councillor who was targeted by some members of the group after comments she made criticising them were leaked from a private meeting, said she is “very glad” the county council has issued the formal notice.

Councillor Susanna Pressel (Image: Martin Stott)

“It is long overdue,” the Labour councillor said. “Lampposts are not flag poles. It is quite clear that these illegal flags are designed to intimidate people.

“Oxford and Oxfordshire are proud to be places of sanctuary, where people from elsewhere can come to seek safety. They are welcome here.

“What we don’t want is people coming from elsewhere to stir up division and hatred. That is not welcome here.”

She said people come to Oxford and Oxfordshire to “settle and contribute” and they “appreciate what is special about Britain”.

Group in Headington putting up a flag (Image: Submitted)

Liam Walker, leader of the Oxfordshire Conservative Group, said the issue of council costs to take down flags has not been given enough attention but welcomed the notice after a serious of incidents.

“Reports of intimidation, aggression towards council staff, and unacceptable behaviour towards members of the public are deeply concerning and are not something we condone under any circumstances,” he said.

“Everyone should be able to go about their daily lives without fear of harassment or intimidation. Public servants and residents alike deserve to feel safe in their communities.”

Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, also welcomed the formal notice.

He said: “When flags are put up without consent, across public spaces and in a way that leaves residents feeling intimidated or unwelcome, that is not about community pride. It is about division.

“I have heard from people who are deeply concerned by this and no one should be made to feel unsafe in their own neighbourhood.”