So-called 'flag-downers' BRAG after pulling 1,000 Union Jacks and English flags from lampposts

Dan McDonald
Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:24:46 +0000

An activist group has claimed to have pulled down 1,000 Union Jacks and English flags from lampposts across Northamptonshire.

The Northants Flagdowners has said its members across the country have "effectively" cleared the towns of Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough and Rushden of the "illegal flags".

The group was launched shortly after streets across the country were being adorned with the Union and St George's Cross during Operation Raise the Colours last August.

Morris Beckman, 38, a Northants Flagdowners member, said: “There is clearly no public support for our national flags being cable tied from lamp-posts in what has become a bit of a national embarrassment.

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"They have sought to capture our country's flag to promulgate their own blackhearted views of the world.

"They seek to demand allegiance to their views and to ram their politics down everyone else's throat and we're not having it.

“We have active Flagdowners right across the county and will always be there to clear the flags and to fight against the division and fear they so plainly seek to engender.”

A small group of Kettering residents had raised more than £8,000 on GoFundMe to purchase flags for the community.

The group outlined its mission as "ensuring our streets stay bright, welcoming, and full of community spirit".

"Every flag that flies high above Kettering represents unity, pride, and tradition – and with your support, we can keep them waving proudly for everyone to enjoy," it added.

Mr Beckman continued: “We have to take this action because despite councils right across the country, including our neighbouring West Northants Council, now removing these illegal flags, North Northamptonshire Council won’t.

"Some councils such as Shropshire County Council are even commencing legal proceedings against their local flaggers, whilst our local council does nothing.”

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The 38-year-old activist added: “We are not against our country's flags where they are properly flown from flagpoles and to commemorate national events.

"Many of us have taken up flagdowning after meeting people who are scared and upset at what we all see is the spread of a politics of fear and division. and we all know that these flags are a key part of this.”

The group also sent an £18,000 invoice to the council after carrying out the mass removals.

In February, a Northamptonshire-based charity threatened legal action against the Reform-run North Northamptonshire Council for its lack of action over the flags on lampposts.

In a letter - sent through GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates - the Northamptonshire Rights Equality Council (NREC) said: “This case raises important questions about the use of national symbols in a way that seeks to exclude others from membership of the community.

"This is undermining community relations and we believe that local authorities along with the police should use the powers that are available to them, to promote inclusion.”

The letter was also issued to Northamptonshire Police and Labour Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone.

A number of local authorities issued warnings against hoisting the flags as the trend swept across the country last summer - including Dorset council's leader Nick Ireland, a Liberal Democrat.

He claimed the flags were "intimidating" to residents, additing it was "naive" to think the trend had not been "hijacked" by the so-called "far-right".