UK church leader supports ban of England flags movement

The United Reformed Church (URC) Wessex Synod has welcomed the formal legal notice issued late last month.

Raise the Colours Oxfordshire has been placing England and UK flags all around the county in the name of patriotism.

But the movement has attracted a lot of criticism, with allegations of intimidation and threatening behaviour from some members towards people and council staff.

Oxfordshire County Council recently said they had spent £15,000 taking the flags down (Image: Raise the Colours Oxford)

The council said the installations were not an act of patriotism but “an act of intimidation and division that is having a real and damaging impact on our communities”.

Revd Dr Michael Hopkins, moderator of the URC Wessex Synod expressed praise for the council’s action and “commitment to social cohesion” and said: “Churches are called to be people of hope, not fear.

“We welcome any step that helps ensure our streets and public spaces are places of safety, dignity, and neighbourliness for all.

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“As A Million Acts of Hope approaches, we want to affirm all that brings communities together, and to bear witness to the God who calls us away from division into compassion, justice, and a shared common life.”

The URC is joining faith groups and other organisations in supporting the national “A Million Acts of Hope” week of action, taking place in May.

The initiative is designed to show that “there is more that connects us than divides us”, the church said.

Liz Leffman (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

As reported, Oxfordshire County Council leader Liz Leffman said: “We are proud of our diverse communities in Oxfordshire and of being the first county council to be awarded local authority of sanctuary status.

“We proudly fly the Union Jack and St George’s flags, which are visible symbols of democracy and unity.

“However, the widespread installation of flags by Raise the Colours is not a sign of patriotism. It is an act of intimidation and division that is having a real and damaging impact on our communities.

“Our residents report feeling distressed, unwelcome and unsafe in their own neighbourhoods.

“Our teams removing the flags, together with residents who have challenged the individuals installing them, have been subject to abuse and threatening behaviour. This is totally unacceptable.”

Security has also been deployed by the council when staff are taking down flags put up in the streets following incidents of bad behaviour.

Police launched a criminal investigation into a “confrontational” incident while England flags were being put up along Oxford’s Abingdon Road in March.

“Where criminal offences are identified, we will take appropriate and proportionate action in respect of the offenders,” Thames Valley Police said.