Number 10 is finally flying the flag for England at the World Cup, but the display has been mocked as looking more like an old East End pub. Two St George's Cross flags hung limply in the front windows of the Prime Minister's Downing Street residence ahead of Wednesday's (July 15) semi-final showdown with Argentina. England bunting, made up of dozens of mini-St George's crosses, was strung across the iron railings either side of the famous front door.
Fans unimpressed by 'too little, too late' display
Unimpressed fans moaned that the patriotic show was "too little" and "way too late." One fan said: "It looks like a pub. Too little, too late. Downing Street should have been covered in flags before a ball was kicked." Another added: "St George's Cross? Not half he is - he'd be bloody livid. What a half-arsed effort. They'll need to sharpen up if we win."
England's strong record under Starmer
The England team boasts a 76% win rate while Sir Keir Starmer has been in office - the best record under any serving Prime Minister in history. However, Number 10 appeared to struggle to show its backing for Thomas Tuchel's team. The bunting remained boxed away for England's opening matches against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. It was only after England topped the group - and the Tory Party chairman dubbed the PM a "plastic patriot" - that flags began to emerge.
Starmer's football enthusiasm
Starmer, a keen football fan, has repeatedly tweeted his support for the team. After Saturday's quarter-final victory, he fired off a cheeky message to his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store, saying: "Your boys took one hell of beating." This mocked radio commentator Bjørge Lillelien's triumphant "Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me" rant after Norway beat England 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier in 1981.
History of flags at Number 10
The tradition of PMs flying the flag for football began in earnest under David Cameron in 2010. Theresa May declared Number 10 was "proud to fly the flag" to cheer on the Three Lions at the World Cup in Russia in 2018. Downing Street received a red-and-white makeover for the Euro 2024 final at the start of Sir Keir's premiership. The street was draped in England's flag last year after the Lionesses beat Spain to retain the Women's Euros.
Controversy over flags
Both the St George's and Union Jack flags have recently been at the centre of controversy, with critics linking their flying to nationalism and the far-right. Sir Keir opted not to fly the St George's Cross during group games but appears to have u-turned as the team charged towards the final. A spokesman for Number 10 said: "The Prime Minister is incredibly proud to support England and to see the whole country come together behind the team."
