Tim Farron, a senior Liberal Democrat, has said that the Union Jack and St George's Cross should never be used to 'intimidate and terrify' people. Speaking at the party's annual conference in Bournemouth, Farron criticised those who use national flags as symbols of aggressive nationalism.
Farron, the party's spokesperson for environment and rural affairs, argued that people who hijack the flags to promote a narrow definition of Britishness or patriotism do not truly love their country. 'How dare the nationalists steal our flags?' he asked, adding that patriots love their country while nationalists hate their neighbours.
His comments come after a far-right rally in London a week ago, where many protesters displayed British or English flags. Farron insisted that the flags belong to all British people, not to any single political party or group. 'We will not let our flag be used to intimidate,' he said.
Farron also criticised those who claim allegiance to a 'fantasy golden age' of Britain and those who lie about the country or suck up to its enemies. He called for the flags to be reclaimed by those who seek to reunite and rebuild, urging people to wave them with pride.
The Liberal Democrats have been notably stronger than Labour or the Conservatives in condemning the recent far-right rally. Party leader Ed Davey specifically criticised Elon Musk for telling the crowd in a video address that 'violence is coming'.
