Flying a Union Jack flag is branded a ‘instrument of hate’ in Government’s leaked ‘social cohesion’ technique
Flying English, Scottish and Union Jack flags has been branded as ‘tools of hate’ in a leaked draft of the Government’s new social cohesion strategy.
A leaked draft of the proposals suggests national symbols were sometimes used last summer to ‘exclude or intimidate’.
It warned that the ‘extreme right has tried to turn symbols of pride into tools of hate’.
The 47-page document also reportedly warns that antisemitism has become ‘normalised in many corners of society’ from schools and universities to workplaces and the NHS.
Some £800 million over 10 years would be put towards 40 areas where social cohesion is deemed to be ‘under pressure’ under the proposals.
The draft was leaked to the Spectator magazine, which reported that ministers will unveil the finalised plans, titled Protecting What Matters, in a cross-Government drive next week.
Last summer, patriotic campaigners vowed to continue putting up England and Union Jack flags despite council workers ripping them down.
A drive to cover British towns and cities in national flags was being coordinated by an online movement called Operation Raise the Colours.
A leaked draft of the proposals suggests national symbols were sometimes used last summer to ‘exclude or intimidate’. Pictured: The flag of the United Kingdom and the Flag of St George hang from lampposts in Birmingham
Patriotic activists are using a Facebook page to help gather flags together – with members chipping in with offers of transport and equipment, such as ladders.
At the time, the Prime Minister backed the public’s right to fly St George’s flags but the leaked Government documents appear to link it to rising tensions over immigration and protests by the far-right.
Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice told the Sun: ‘Absurdly, this says our national flag is a tool of hate used to intimidate. The whole paper is a divisive nonsense that should be consigned to the bin.’
The proposals also suggest a ‘special representative’ role will be introduced to ‘champion efforts across the UK to tackle hostility and hatred directed at Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim’.
A new definition of Islamophobia is also expected to be set out as part of guidance on anti-Muslim hatred.
Critics have argued the move could act as a backdoor ‘blasphemy law’ and limit free speech, though the Government has said its focus is on protecting people from unacceptable treatment.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: ‘We do not comment on leaks.’
Shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly said the proposal for an anti-Muslim hostility ‘tsar’ risked having a ‘chilling effect’.
He accused Labour of ‘pandering to sectarianism’ after losing the previously rock-solid seat of Gorton and Denton in Greater Manchester to the Greens in a parliamentary by-election last month.
The Tory frontbencher said: ‘The Conservatives stand against such divisive tactics.
‘As Kemi Badenoch said this week, identity politics is a dead end and our country is headed down a dark road if it fails on sectional interests rather than shared values and freedoms.
‘Anti-Muslim hatred is real. But we should tackle it with the existing laws we have for that exact purpose, without undermining free expression.’
