Alarm has been expressed by neighbours and councillors alike over the flying of flags and graffiti as part of ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ in Reading.
Union flags have been put up and St George’s crosses have been spray-painted on roads and signage across the town in activism that has taken place across the country.
In Tilehurst, resident Anna raised alarm at flags being put up, accusing the action of being undertaken by the ‘far right’.
An email which she sent cited a Hope Not Hate report that Operation Raise the Colours is being promoted by Andy Saxon, Tommy Robinson and Guramit Singh, who were all key members of the English Defence League (EDL).
Anna said: “I’ve just walked through the centre of Tilehurst and can see that the far right have put 10 flags up on the lamp posts.
“I’m sure you’ll be aware that, as reported by Hope Not Hate, this is happening across the country.”
She then called for the flags to be removed in an email was sent to Tilehurst Liberal Democrat councillors.
Councillors Anne Thompson and James Moore (both Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) have reported the unauthorised raising of the flags to Reading Borough Council.
Cllr Thompson’s reply states: “Several residents had already expressed alarm about them.
“The Council’s head of street services has told us that their streetlighting contractor M Group will remove the flags.”
She then encouraged Anna and other neighbours to report locations “to make sure flags are removed as efficiently as possible” while acknowledging flags can be flown at homes and businesses.
Cllr Thompson said: “As the Hope Not Hate article referred to says, extreme far-right activists are behind much of the current wave of flag raising.
“While we don’t know the motivation of the people who put up the flags in Tilehurst, we do know the impact they are having.
“Our national flags should be a focus of celebration and pride and, on occasion, an expression of respect and mourning.
“But when neighbours tell us they feel intimidated or upset by the flags, that positive role is diminished, and it is appropriate to take the flags down.”
Anna thanked cllr Thompson for the response as “a little ray of sunshine in what feels like an inevitable avalanche towards a far right government”.
St George’s crosses have been spotted painted on a pedestrian crossing to Palmer Park in East Reading, which Rob White (Green, Park), the leader of the opposition, has reported to the council.
Expressing “disappointment” on X, cllr White said: “Greens welcome migrants, welcome people fleeing persecution and will keep working for investment in public services.”
A council spokesperson previously stated that it appreciates that people want to show patriotism, but the flags and graffiti present a safety risk to the public and will therefore be removed.
Cllr Dave McElroy (Green, Redlands), candidate for Reading Central in the 2024 General Election, said: “What a pathetic response from the council. Anyone can see this flag thing is obviously an intentional attempt to inflame tensions and intimidate minorities.
“Our Labour council calling this disrespectful use of our national flag ‘patriotism’ simply tells these people they are righteous and encourages them to keep going.”
The EDL has been defunct since 2015.
