Roundabouts painted with St George's cross as patriotic fightback sparks 'xenophobic vandals' row

Social Commentator Imarn Ayton clashes with Dr Mike Jones on Britons flying flags in patriotism campaign |

GB NEWS

Isabelle Parkin

By Isabelle Parkin


Published: 19/08/2025

- 11:43

Updated: 19/08/2025

- 12:21

One person called for roundabouts to be painted in 'every town and city'

Birmingham's flag row has been taken to the streets as residents painted mini-roundabouts with the St George's flag.

The patriotic display has appeared on several roundabouts in the city, including in Birmingham's Kings Heath area.


A video circulating on social media showed one man hurriedly painting a St George's cross onto one of the traffic islands as a police car pulls up next to him.

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It comes after Birmingham City Council sparked fury by removing Union Jacks and St George's flags from lampposts, citing safety concerns.

The Labour-run local authority said "unauthorised items" could be "putting lives of motorists and pedestrians at risk".

The painted roundabouts have prompted mixed views from residents, though the majority have praised the move and even called for the same thing to be done on roads country-wide.

One critic wrote to social media: "That is just road vandalism and tampering with the highway code. Complete idiots.

"Try doing something useful for the community and country instead if you actually cared."

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The St George's cross has been painted on mini-roundabouts across the city

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TURNING POINT UK/FACEBOOK

Another man living close to one of the transformed traffic islands in Kings Heath told the BBC it was "not patriotic" and instead "feels like an excuse for xenophobia".

"There are better ways to show pride - ways that are inclusive and respectful, not resorting to vandalism," the resident added.

However, other locals praised the roundabout displays, calling for patriotic protesters to "keep it coming".

One man said it should be done in "every town and city", while another wrote to Facebook: "Keep it going! The more; the better, more flags as well."

A flag of St George flies in Birmingham

Union Jack and St George's flags have sprung up on lampposts across Birmingham

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Another social media user described it as a "wonderful idea".

A community group, calling itself the Weoley Warrirors, has also set about displaying hundreds of flags in the Weoley Castle area of Birmingham.

The anonymous organisers, who describe themselves as a "group of proud Englishmen with a common goal", have so far collected more than £11,000 to fund their campaign through an online fundraiser.

Birmingham City Council said its highways staff have removed around 200 banners and flags from lampposts since the start of the year, ahead of work to improve street lighting to energy-efficient LEDs.

In a later statement, the authority said it "recognises the importance" of the Union Jack and St George's flags as "symbols of national pride".

"Brummies are proud to be British and proud that this is a welcoming city celebrating many different cultures, a council spokesperson said.

"When it comes to items attached to lamp posts, it is normal council procedure for these to be removed on a regular basis, in line with our health and safety obligations.

"As has always been the case, people are free to fly or hang flags from their homes or gardens, but we ask that they are not attached to street furniture."

Amid the flag row, the authority lit the Library of Birmingham in green and blue to mark the anniversary Pakistan Independence.

In a scathing response, Reform MP Lee Anderson said: "If the imbeciles running Birmingham City Council think more about Pakistan than the UK then they should all get on the next flight to Islamabad."

The council lit up the Library of Birmingham to celebrate Pakistan's independence day

The council lit up the Library of Birmingham to celebrate Pakistan's independence day last week

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BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL

Union Jack and St George's flags have sprung up elsewhere across the country as part of a movement called "Operation Raise the Colours".

However, Tower Hamlets council in East London has vowed to remove flags which have popped up as part of the campaign "as soon as possible".

"Where flags are attached to council-owned infrastructure without permission, they may be removed as part of routine maintenance," a council spokesman said.

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