Up next in 10
'There is no problem with English people flying the St George's Cross', Dr Mike Jones says
Aug 19, 2025
Social commentator Imarn Ayton's criticism of the St George's flag has been branded "petty" in a heated exchange over the displays of patriotism in Tower Hamlets.Discussing the decision by Tower Hamlets Council to remove the flags, political commentator Dr Mike Jones said any debate over the British flag is "pathological".FULL STORY HERE.
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
Now, there's this idea called Operation Raise the Colours
0:04
which are the colours of the various flags that represent England or Britain
0:10
It's spread to towns and cities. It's spread to... Good morning to you, if you're watching or listening
0:15
in Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Swindon, because you're all doing it, and people are putting up England and British flags
0:25
in defiance of council bans. Yes, it's a patriotism campaign. London Authority Tower Hamlets has vowed to take them down
0:37
and we're asking the question today, should we be proud to fly the British flag to debate this
0:44
Political commentator Mike Jones, social commentator Iman Aiton. Mike, how proud are you
0:50
I'm very proud indeed. The Union Jack is an iconic flag. It represents the continuity of the crown, the historic achievements of the British people
1:01
and the uniting of distinct nations under one banner. But let's be clear about one thing
1:06
When people raise Wave or Don the Union Jack, they're not trying to make an academic point about history
1:13
They're expressing pride in their nation, in the homeland their families grew up in
1:18
And there's nothing wrong with that. Well, that's the way it should be. And that's the way it was
1:22
And, Mike, you know, I respect what you're saying and I respect the ideal of it
1:27
But, Amaran, I am sort of agreeing with you because I am from Northern Ireland and it is so divisive
1:37
And when you live somewhere, it like having a dog pee against a lamppost and says you can come in here this is our territory whether you green or whether you blue on this one
1:49
So I understand. Mike, what Mike's saying, I totally... The ideal of what Mike's saying is absolutely perfect and right
1:57
but in practice, Amaran, it can be different. Yes, I totally agree, Vian
2:03
I'm very grateful that you see both of our points. I think that every country in the world should have pride
2:10
We all need pride. But we should pick our flags wisely. So let's just be clear
2:17
The British flag is the Union flag. That's the truth. It represents all countries
2:24
It represents the Commonwealth. It represents the British overseas territories, whereas St George's flag does not
2:32
It actually excludes. It excludes everyone because it only represents England. It doesn't represent Scots, it doesn't represent the Welsh
2:39
and it doesn't represent Northern Ireland. Except that when you go into those other constituent parts
2:45
they don't really feel like they have the same sort of connotation, do they
2:49
I mean, if you go to Wales and you see a Welsh flag flying, it doesn't really have those same sort of connotations
2:55
as the flag of St George's. And there will be people who are saying, but we need to reclaim them
3:00
We need to reclaim them from the far... That they have been... There's this feeling they've been hijacked by the far right
3:07
And if actually we take the sting out of it by flying them everywhere, perhaps that's a good thing
3:12
Iman, if I can put that in. Penny, thank you. I think that's a very valid point
3:17
I think that when something has been hijacked by far right or extremists
3:21
you should reclaim it and claim it as your own So I totally agree with that But we also have to take into consideration the fact that Tower Hamlets is predominantly Asian It is predominantly Asian about
3:33
approximately 44%. It is predominantly Bangladeshi and Muslim, 39.9%. So I would argue that the
3:43
council is merely trying to cater to their constituents. But those constituents, for
3:50
all the things you said which are true, Maren, but they are
3:54
they now live in England and a lot of people will be saying, you know
3:58
when in England, be English. Yes, and I totally agree. I do believe that if you are going to live
4:06
in a country, you should first and foremost respect and adhere to the
4:10
rules of the country, embrace the British values and also lead with empathy
4:18
Now, this is where we go, Rawa, and I think this is where the balance has kind of gone awry, in truth
4:26
There are many kind of areas within London or England or the UK
4:31
where there are areas that have predominantly Muslim or predominantly black, and it's just about understanding that..
4:41
Right, Mike's been very patient and listening to everything there. Mike, what would you say from what we have been saying
4:48
we have been debating, we have been throwing about here, You've been listening. What do you think
4:53
Well, what's surreal is that we're having this debate at all. In almost any other country, it would be considered absurd, even pathological
5:01
Absolutely right. And in America, mate, in America, look at how the difference is
5:06
how anybody anybody whatever country they from wherever they emigrated from to be in America still swear allegiance to that flag and salute that flag
5:17
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think flying the flag is an inherently good thing
5:24
The people who are offended by this... But what flag? Please interrupt, sir
5:28
But what flag? Because we have two, the Union flag and St George's flag
5:33
So let's be specific. when we talk about it's about pride and flying our flag
5:38
What flag are you talking about, sir? The debate is about the Union Jack, and I'm Welsh, by the way
5:44
So, you know, I fly the Welsh flag when I'm in Wales or when I'm in England watching a rugby match
5:49
but I have absolutely no problem with English people flying the St George's Cross
5:55
I mean, I think that's perfectly reasonable. And, you know, we can get very petty about this
6:00
and talk about people getting offended, and you have, you know, sort of professional grievance mongers
6:04
who will try to gin up resentment. But at the end of the day, you know
6:09
Britain is not just an economic grazing strip. And if more and more people are getting offended
6:14
by the British flag or the St George's Cross, then that actually symbolises a big problem that we have
6:22
We have to leave it there, but thank you very much to both of you. Mike Jones, political commentator, who's currently in Wales
6:28
and Iman Hayton, who's also a commentator, who's in London. There is a spokesman to our Hamlet's council statement
6:37
While we recognise people wish to express their views, we have a responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure
6:43
Where flags are attached to council-owned infrastructure without permission, this comment says they may be removed
6:51
as part of routine maintenance. Right, Sue, do you know what that means? It means we're taking them down
#news
#Politics
#Social Issues & Advocacy
#Discrimination & Identity Relations