A new campaign is calling for the St George’s Cross to be reclaimed as a symbol of inclusive English pride, arguing that the flag and St George’s Day have been co-opted by the far right for too long. The initiative, inspired by a surge of patriotic unity during the World Cup, aims to encourage people from diverse backgrounds to embrace the flag without fear of association with extremism.
The proposal, put forward by writer Poppy Noor, advocates for a digital campaign using the hashtag #StretchTheFlag – a reference to a quote from Zadie Smith about stretching definitions to be inclusive. Noor suggests that public figures share videos of what England means to them, and that communities organise inclusive street parties on St George’s Day. “The voice from the far right is so loud right now that unless we do something to speak up it will take this moment for its own,” she writes.
Community organiser Sara Bryson of Citizens UK advises that such campaigns require careful planning: “We rarely have positional power, but what people power do you have?” She stresses the need to identify specific goals, target authorities, and understand the fears and motivations of different demographics. “Building a campaign isn’t just mobilising people. It’s about approaching people with curiosity,” she says.
The campaign seeks to redefine Englishness for the modern day, moving beyond stereotypes of a white, middle-England identity. Noor argues that tolerant, diverse England currently lacks a symbol to represent it, and that national pride can be a force for community if reclaimed by the centre and left. “Most people are not racist. But tolerant, diverse England doesn’t have a symbol to represent it,” she concludes.
