Labour MP Sarah Sackman, who serves as Minister for Courts and Legal Services, has urged the removal of Union and St George’s Cross flags that were placed on public lamp posts after the 2026 World Cup.
Sackman said residents of Temple Fortune and Golders Green described the flags as unsettling, intimidating and divisive, noting that many felt the symbols did not represent national pride but rather created a sense of exclusion.
The flags began appearing on public infrastructure across the borough of Barnet in September, following a campaign known as “Operation Raise the Colours” that encouraged the display of national symbols on lampposts, roundabouts and other municipal property.
Activists associated with the campaign attached or painted the flags without official permission, prompting concerns about the legality and safety of the installations.
Earlier criticism came from a fellow Labour MP who highlighted that the flags were poorly secured, posing a risk of detaching and falling onto roadways, and that they contributed to an unwelcoming atmosphere for local residents.
Sackman emphasized that while individuals may display flags on private property, public spaces must remain inclusive for all members of the community.
She called on Barnet Council to restore the streets to a tolerant environment by removing the flags now that the World Cup has concluded.
Co‑founder of the “Raise the Colours” movement, Billy Allison, faced a murder charge in May, underscoring the heightened scrutiny surrounding the campaign.
