Oxfordshire County Council has been criticized as "woke" after the High Court granted it powers to ban residents from attaching Union and St. George's flags to lamp posts. The Liberal Democrat-run council sought the injunction to stop individuals without consent from attaching flags to highway structures like lampposts and lighting columns, as well as painting the highway. Flags on private property remain unaffected.
Operation Raise the Colours founder speaks out
Ryan Bridge, 44, a managing director from Worcestershire, founded "Operation Raise the Colours" last summer, encouraging Brits to display flags on lamp posts and paint them in towns across the country. He told The Express: "This is the country we're living in. This is the woke, middle-class, liberal, left agenda and, in places like Oxford, Cambridge, and Bristol, which are heavily occupied by people from the university education sector, we feel that our children are being indoctrinated by the left wing. This is where it's happening."
He added: "These people are getting rules and regulations for their own little world." Despite the setback, Bridge remains undeterred, stating he was on a "flag mission" yesterday, but he is not encouraging people to put flags up in Oxfordshire following the ruling.
Comments on the Prime Minister
When asked about Prime Minister Andy Burnham's patriotism, Bridge said: "I do, but I think he would do it for purposes of trying to get people onboard, just like he says 'I'm one of the people, I'll speak to the people' and all this malarkey. I think it's all one big cover. I am disgusted that he has got a Number 10 of the north. I think that's disgusting. Things like this are where our British traditions [are] - Downing Street, The Mall, Buckingham Palace, our British traditions we are losing because of people like Burnham." He added that Burnham will be a "carry on" from Sir Keir Starmer.
Council defends its action
A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: "This is not, and never has been, about the flag. We proudly fly the Union Flag and St George’s flag at County Hall and we fully support the right of residents to display their own flags on their own property. Putting flags on lamp posts without permission is unlawful. We have a clear responsibility to keep people safe and ensure our public spaces are welcoming for everyone. That’s why we took this action."
Council leader Tim Bearder added: "We’re pleased with this result. The injunction helps protect our residents and our workforce and supports our responsibility to keep the highway safe. This is not, and never has been, about the flag. We proudly fly the Union Flag and St George’s flag at County Hall and we fully support the right of residents to display their own flags – including to show their support for the England football team. However, the behaviour we’ve seen from Raise the Colours is nothing to do with national pride or with support for the England team during the World Cup. It’s unlawful behaviour, which has put people at risk and caused fear within our communities for almost a year. We have a clear responsibility to keep people safe and ensure our public spaces are welcoming for everyone. That’s why we’ve taken this action and why today’s decision by the court provides clarity and protects our colleagues and communities."
