A heated argument has broken out in the seaside town of Seaford after dozens of English and British flags were put up across the area. Some residents say the flags are “disgusting” and even “racist,” while others insist they are simply a show of pride and patriotism.
The dispute reached a boiling point earlier this month when a local councillor from Lewes District confronted two men who were putting up flags along the A259 road in Seaford. According to police, the conversation quickly turned into an argument and then got physical — the woman was reportedly pushed to the ground. One man was arrested, and police are still searching for the other person involved.
The flags, including Union Jacks and St. George’s crosses, are part of a nationwide campaign called **Operation Raise the Colours**, which encourages people to display national flags in public spaces. The initiative has split opinions across the country — while some say it celebrates national pride, others believe it’s being used to promote political or divisive messages.
Locals in Seaford are no exception. Seventy-two-year-old Kim Atkinson described the flags as “disgusting” and said people “should not fly them.” Another resident, who didn’t want to be named, told *The Argus* that the growing number of flags feels “a bit scary” and suggested that “the right-wing is trying to take over this part of the country.” She added, “There’s more to England than just being English.”
Others, however, strongly disagree. Michael Bond, 74, said he’s proud to see the flags displayed. “My wife and I have both served our country,” he explained. “It’s sad that the flags are now being linked to something negative instead of something to be proud of.”
Another resident, Anne Buttersfield, said she supports flying the flags during major sporting events like the World Cup or the Euros but believes displaying them all year round feels “aggressive.” She went on to say that it sends the wrong message and can make people feel unwelcome.
The current controversy isn’t new. The flag debate first began during the Women’s Euros, when families across the UK hung flags to support the national team. Soon after, similar displays spread to Birmingham, where people attached English and British flags to lampposts. However, the Labour-run Birmingham Council — which declared bankruptcy in 2023 — warned that such actions could be dangerous, as some flags were hung more than 25 feet above the ground.
The argument over national flags has since grown, especially after the Gaza conflict began in 2023. Palestinian flags were seen across several UK cities, including Birmingham, where almost 30 percent of residents are Muslim. Some critics said it was unfair to allow certain political flags while discouraging others, leading to a nationwide wave of people raising the British and English flags in response.
For now, Seaford remains divided. Some see the flags as a harmless show of national pride, while others view them as symbols of exclusion and tension. What started as a simple act of patriotism has now turned into a heated debate about identity, belonging, and what it truly means to be British.
