Derby Council to Remove St George’s Flags as ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ Campaign Ends.

Council Sets Monday Deadline for Flag Retrieval

Derby City Council has announced it will begin removing hundreds of St George’s flags from lampposts and street furniture across the city, giving residents one week to safely retrieve their displays before systematic removal begins on Monday, September 29.

The decision marks the end of a month-long patriotic movement that saw streets across Derby and other English cities adorned with flags as part of “Operation Raise the Colours.”

‘Time to Bring Campaign to an End,’ Says Council Official

Councillor Sarah Chambers, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Public Safety, explained the decision comes as the council needs to clear lampposts for future seasonal and commemorative events.

“Derby City Council understands and shares the pride our residents feel in being British,” Chambers said. “We proudly fly the Union Flag outside the Council House every day, and we recognise both the Union Flag and the Flag of St George as important symbols of our national identity.”

She emphasized that the council has shown flexibility in recent weeks by not exercising discretionary legal powers to remove flags unless they posed health and safety hazards—a stance taken by many councils across the UK.

However, going forward, residents wishing to display flags on public land or street furniture must obtain standard permissions as part of the council’s statutory responsibility to maintain public spaces.

Councillor Receives Rape Threats Over Flag Decision

The announcement sparked fury among some residents, leading to serious threats against Councillor Chambers. She revealed she did not leave her home for two days after receiving rape threats from members of the public.

“Some of those threats have gone way too far this time and obviously being shouted at that I’m going to be raped for raping them of the flag is not acceptable in any way, shape or form,” Chambers told BBC Radio Derby.

Police are now involved, and her family has expressed concerns for her safety, urging her to step away from her public role.

Public Support for Flag Flying Remains Strong

Despite the controversy, an exclusive Daily Mail survey found robust public support for displaying national flags. According to the Survation poll of over 2,000 voters, 55 percent strongly or somewhat support people displaying the British or English flag in public, while only 14 percent opposed such displays.

Downing Street has previously backed the flying of national flags, stating that patriotism “will always be an important thing” to the Prime Minister.

‘Operation Raise the Colours’ Sweeps Nation

The grassroots online movement “Operation Raise the Colours” has led communities across England—including Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, and the Isle of Wight—to hang flags in their streets, often in defiance of council restrictions.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage characterized the emergence of flags across the country as a “two-fingered salute to our gutless leaders.”

Labour Councillor Faces Backlash for ‘Criminals and Nonces’ Remarks

In a separate controversy, Hertsmere Borough Council leader Jeremy Newmark, a Labour councillor, faced calls to resign after describing flag campaigners as “criminals” and “nonces.”

During a council meeting, Newmark accused the movement of being “an attempt by a bunch of extremists, criminals, nonces to hijack our national flag.” His comments came days after an estimated 150,000 supporters attended a “Unite The Kingdom” rally in London organized by former English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson.

Conservative councillors condemned Newmark for “forfeiting his integrity” and “pushing people apart,” arguing that constantly linking the national flag to extremism risks letting extremists define it rather than reclaiming it for the mainstream.

Newmark later apologized, saying: “I accept that some of the language I used was wrong and am sorry for that. I also accept that some people have ascribed a broader meaning to my words and am very sorry about that indeed. That was not my intention.”

Olympic Champion’s Mother Targeted in Flag Vandalism

The flag controversy took a personal turn when Caroline Peaty, mother of Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty, had a St George’s flag torn down from outside her Uttoxeter home and allegedly set alight.

CCTV footage captured two men approaching her property on Saturday night, with one climbing a lamppost to rip down the flag. Caroline, who displays a Union Jack in honor of her son’s three Olympic gold medals and as tribute to her father and husband who both served in the armed forces, said she was “disgusted” by the act.

“I was appalled by the destruction of the flag. It’s nothing to do with racism, this is our country, lots of young men lost their lives for us to have the freedom to fly our flags,” she said.

Actor Ross Kemp Defends Flag as Symbol of English Pride

Actor Ross Kemp, known for his role as Grant Mitchell in EastEnders, recently addressed the rise in St George’s Crosses being flown from lampposts and painted onto roundabouts.

“If it’s hijacked by other people for their means, then that’s entirely up to them, but that’s not what it means to me,” Kemp said. “It just means being English. I’m very proud of being English.”

He noted that the flag represents mainstream national pride and is regularly worn by athletes in sports like football and rugby.

Political Implications

The Daily Mail poll revealed that the public does not see Labour as a patriotic party, with only 40 percent viewing Labour as very or somewhat patriotic compared to 44 percent who said it was not.

By contrast, Reform UK was seen as patriotic by 60 percent of respondents, followed by the Conservatives at 55 percent. Even the Liberal Democrats and Green Party scored higher than Labour on patriotism, at 47 percent and 40 percent respectively.

What Happens Next

Derby City Council will begin removing flags and other items from public spaces and street furniture on Monday, September 29. Any flags left after this date will be stored at the council offices.

The council strongly discourages individuals from attempting to remove flags themselves if it involves height or equipment that could compromise personal safety, stating that responsibility for such actions lies entirely with the individual concerned.

Residents interested in installing official flagpoles in their areas are encouraged to approach their local ward councillors to discuss the process and possibilities.