One in eight Labor voters think the English flag is “racist and divisive and should not be flown”, a new poll reveals today.
The survey carried out ahead of St George’s Day on Tuesday reveals broad support for the St George’s Cross, with almost three quarters of voters saying it is a “symbol representing England and that no one should not be offended by it.”
But it also reveals a deep political divide, with Labor voters 13 times more likely than Conservative supporters to call the English flag “racist and divisive”.
Elsewhere, the survey reveals tensions over the Union, with Scots and Welsh both saying they feel better represented by their national emblems than the Union flag.
Sir Keir Starmer made strenuous efforts to rebrand the Labor Party as the Patriotic Party following the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, when many traditional supporters deserted the party due to a perceived lack of patriotism.
Sir Keir Starmer giving his keynote speech at last year’s Labor conference with a large union flag in the background
Study carried out ahead of St George’s Day on Tuesday finds widespread support for St George’s Cross (file photo)
Separately, the survey reveals tensions over the Union, with Scots and Welsh both saying they feel better represented by their national emblems than the Union flag.
But the results also showed deep division: one in eight Labor voters surveyed said the flag was “racist and divisive”.
Pictured: A St George’s Day celebration in Trafalgar Square, London
St George flags adorn a street in Knowle West, near Bristol, for Euro 2020 held in 2021
In England, 44% of people surveyed said they were best represented by the Union flag, compared to just 24% of Welsh people and 17% of Scottish people.
Even before Mr Corbyn’s reign, Emily Thornberry – now Sir Keir’s shadow attorney general – was briefly sacked from the shadow cabinet a decade ago for a tweet that critics said “mocked” voters in Rochester for draping a house with the flag of St George.
Yesterday, in the Sunday Telegraph, the Labor leader declared that the Labor Party was now “the true party of patriotism”.
Sir Keir said he had “no time for those who hesitate to unfurl their flag… because the St George’s Cross belongs to everyone who loves this country and seeks to make it better – a symbol of pride, belonging and inclusion. ‘
He added: “Labour is now the patriotic party. We will celebrate St. George’s Day with enthusiasm, an enthusiasm shared by every holiday patrol on our islands.
But a new poll conducted on behalf of former Conservative treasurer Lord Ashcroft suggests some Labor supporters are significantly less enthusiastic about the St George flag.
The survey of more than 5,400 voters reveals a significant political divide on the issue.
While 74% of voters overall say “no one should be offended” by a flag that “represents England”, this falls to 56% of 2019 Labor voters, compared to 91% of Conservative supporters.
Just 1 percent of conservative supporters said the flag was “racist and divisive” and should not be flown. But that figure rises to 13 percent among Labor voters, or more than one in eight.
A Conservative source said Labor still seemed to be “a party that hates Britain”.
It follows reports last month that several Labor MPs were refusing to hand out leaflets with the Union flag, with some warning that its heavy use was “damaging” in areas with large ethnic minority populations.
Recent party events, conferences and lecterns have featured the Union flag as Sir Keir Starmer attempted to boost his patriotic credentials.
In Wales, just 24% said the Union flag best represented their identity, and almost half chose the Welsh flag instead.
The situation was even more dramatic in Scotland, where only 17 percent preferred the Union flag, compared to 51 percent choosing the saltire.
Yesterday, in the Sunday Telegraph, the Labor leader declared that the Labor Party was now “the true party of patriotism”.
In a further finding, the new poll also reveals that support for the Union flag is higher in England than in other parts of the UK.
When asked which flag “best represents you”, almost half of English voters (44%) identified the Union Flag, while 10% said St George’s Cross and 29% both replied.
In Wales, just 24 percent said the Union flag best represented their identity, with 46 percent citing the Welsh flag and 23 percent citing both.
The situation was even more dire in Scotland, where only 17 percent of respondents identified primarily with the Union flag, compared to 51 percent for the saltire and 23 percent saying both.
The poll data comes just weeks after Nike was caught in a backlash over its England Euro 2024 kit, after revising the St George’s flag to a navy, light blue and purple cross instead of red traditional.
Commentators and fans slammed the sportswear giant for “waking up” with the new color scheme, which Nike said was a “playful update” with a nod to the World Cup winners. world of 1966.
In contrast, Team GB’s kit manufacturer, Adidas, refused to make the same mistake and instead chose to stick with the traditional colors of the Paris 2024 jersey.
This came despite another row over Olympic products which featured pink and purple union flags with dots and wavy lines in an apparent attempt to “freshen up the team’s color scheme”.
The British called the new design “meaningless” and “not too much”, while others called it “offensive” and “not unique”.
dailymail us
