Gareth Southgate has urged the country to rediscover its sense of unity, admitting he fears Britain has become increasingly divided.
The former England manager was speaking to the BBC when he was asked about the meaning of the St George’s Cross and the Union Jack in modern life, as the flags become the focus of heated national discussion.
Recent months have seen an increase in flag displays across towns and cities, a trend that has divided public opinion.
For some, the banners symbolise pride and patriotism. For others, their rising presence has been seen as a negative.
Earlier this year, flags appeared on lampposts and roundabouts across the country, prompting Lewis Neilsen from campaign group Stand Up to Racism to warn that the surge was “really dangerous.”
The campaign, dubbed Operation Raise the Colours, has since grown into a nationwide movement, sparking fierce debate about national identity and belonging.
Southgate, who led England to a World Cup semi-final and two European Championship finals during his tenure, has now stepped into the conversation with a call for compassion and togetherness.
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Gareth Southgate has urged the country to rediscover its sense of unity, admitting he fears Britain has become increasingly divided
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“I worry about unity,” he admitted. “I have seen what we did with the team unify every community.
“I do think that there is more that bonds us all than separates us. Life is tough, economically tough for people, but there is so much more that connects us.”
Reflecting on the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, he added: “Covid was a good example where people did the shopping for their neighbours.
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Thousands of flags appeared up and down the country as part of Operation Raise the Colours
| REUTERS“People rallied around, that is what the British spirit is about. I think we should try to focus on what brings us together rather than what separates us.”
When asked if he believed the country was more divided now than in previous years, Southgate paused before answering: “That feels the way, but we have an opportunity to change that narrative.
“I have seen the big nights with England bring every community together, people showing their pride in being English. When I travel around, that’s what people talk to me about.”
He reflected on his eight years in charge of the national team and how football can unite the nation in ways few other things can.
“We had a huge disconnection with the team when we started and eight years on, we have had some incredible nights and some incredible memories created,” he added.
“They are the things we should focus more on.”
Gareth Southgate guided England to two major finals during his time in the dugout | PASouthgate’s appeal for calm and unity comes amid reports of tension surrounding flag displays.
In Norwich, a 68-year-old man said he was attacked while attempting to remove an English flag from a lamppost.
The pensioner, who asked not to be named, claimed he was set upon by a group of men, one of whom stomped on his head.
“I was face down in the road while they hit me, using the pole I was using to take the flags down to strike me,” he said. “Someone stomped on my head. It only stopped when a passerby intervened and called the police.”
Norfolk Police later dropped the case, saying there were no suspects and insufficient CCTV evidence.
The man criticised the decision, accusing officers of abandoning the investigation too soon.