A new wave of patriotic displays has swept across the country this week, with an estimated 52,000 Union flags  and St George’s Crosses flags  raised on streets, lampposts and public sites since Monday.

The grassroots campaign — dubbed “Raise the Colours” — has quickly gathered momentum online, with supporters insisting that no council or local authority should remove flags erected by residents.

Campaigners say the Union Flag and England’s national flag are “symbols of unity and pride” and should be respected in public spaces.

One organiser said:

“Our national flags belong to everyone and should be flown with pride everywhere. Woke politicians, bureaucrats and officials cannot be allowed to cancel the patriotism of local people.”

Attention has now turned to local authorities, including Havering Council (@LBofHavering), with calls for a clear pledge that national flags displayed across the borough will not be taken down.

The campaign has quickly spread across social media under the hashtags #RaiseTheColours, #UnitedKingdom, #England and #Essex, with residents sharing photos of flags raised in their neighbourhoods.

Local councils are yet to issue responses, but the movement shows no sign of slowing.