0:00
We are possibly the only country in the entire world
0:03
that has a problem with our national flag or the English flag and, to a certain extent, the Union flag as well
0:08
Well, when you say we, I'd agree, but when you say we, we're talking about the political establishment, the political elites
0:13
I mean, one thing reform did shortly after May 1st in the councils where we took control was our councils passed motions
0:19
and said that the only flags that could be flown on council premises, these were English councils, were going to be the Union flag
0:25
the St George's flag because they're English councils, the county flags and flags for armed forces and our monarch
0:30
And that was viewed as extremely controversial. And to this day, by the way, some of our councils are still fighting the blob about that
0:36
We have seen, you know, it's really interesting, as people brilliantly go out and raise flags across the country
0:42
the St George's flag and the Union flag, they're being told, why are you so focused on flags? Flags don't matter
0:48
Well, flags don't matter. People in this country are sick and tired of the fact that every other flag was flown with enormous pride
0:56
including the pride flag, the Palestinian flag, all sorts of flags of other countries and political activists
1:03
But when it comes to the union flag, when it comes to the St George flag the flags of this country that was something that was always to be looked down upon And in fact not just not OK but often associated with sinister and malevolent things
1:18
I mean, that was how outrageous the situation has become. So I totally agree with it. English people, British people had quite enough of that
1:23
See, you don't have a problem with it. You are a person of colour. You don't have a problem with the flag. Of course not. Of course not
1:28
Bill, what is wrong with our flag? There's nothing wrong with our flag. So why are people so upset when it's hanging from lampposts
1:35
and motorway bridges? Keir Starmer has made it very clear that this government supports the right of people to fly the flag
1:42
There have been a handful of local authorities who wholly wrongly, in my view, have sought to take down those flags
1:49
whilst, for example, allowing Palestinian flags to be flown. Tower Hamlets Council for one in London
1:53
Absolutely. And don't start me on the leader of Tower Hamlets. Not me
1:58
But, you know, you should be able to fly the flag. But I will acknowledge this
2:01
on the left historically there has been an ambivalence about the flag because people saw
2:09
it as being claimed by the far right now i've always argued and this government argues that
2:14
you reclaim uh the flag you don't allow it to be taken up as the badge of honor of the far right
2:20
and if people want to fly it they should be able to do so
