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Football fans told to 'burn or shred' England flags after Lionesses win Euros
Football fans told to 'burn or shred' England flags after Lionesses win Euros

Daily Mirror

time21 hours ago

  • Sport
  • Daily Mirror

Football fans told to 'burn or shred' England flags after Lionesses win Euros

England flags will be flying high today after the Lionesses beat Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout to win the European Championship but there are strict rules on their disposal England flags are soaring today as the nation celebrates the Lionesses ' thrilling penalty shootout win over Spain, clinching the Euro 2025 trophy. The England women's team have triumphantly secured their second consecutive Euros title in a competition rife with surprises, prompting jubilant fans to revel into the wee hours, thanks to pubs staying open late. ‌ Yet, once the festivities wind down, many will ponder what to do with the plethora of England flags that have been adorning cars, hanging from homes, and proudly displayed on various surfaces. The Flag Institute has issued guidelines on the proper disposal of any flag from the United Kingdom, be it the Union Jack, St George's Cross, or those representing other UK nations. ‌ ‌ Their 'proper disposal of flags' advice states that flags should be disposed of 'in a dignified way', reports the Express. The guidance notes: "National flags should never be flown in a worn or damaged condition, or when soiled. To do so is to show disrespect for the nations they represent." It further advises: "When a flag becomes tattered or faded and is no longer in a suitable condition for use, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, for example by burning, tearing or cutting into strips that no longer resemble the original flag." ‌ Many supporters might be tempted to chuck their commemorative flags away, but it could be wiser to stash them for future tournaments – after all, the men's World Cup 2026 is just a year away and the women's World Cup 2027 follows shortly after. England fans were over the moon as the team clinched their Euros title in a nail-biting penalty shootout against Spain in the final at Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday. Chloe Kelly became the nation's hero with her decisive penalty, after goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two critical saves, sparking wild celebrations among the crowds in fan zones. His Majesty expressed the Royal family's "warmest appreciation and admiration" for the team's triumph, encouraging them: "The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can."

England fans risk £2,500 fine if they flout St George's Cross flag rules
England fans risk £2,500 fine if they flout St George's Cross flag rules

Daily Mirror

time4 days ago

  • Sport
  • Daily Mirror

England fans risk £2,500 fine if they flout St George's Cross flag rules

As the England's women's football team gear up for the Euro 2025 final, supporters are being warned that proudly flying the St George's Cross could land them a hefty fine England supporters are being urged to check the rules before proudly flying the St George's Cross outside their homes, or risk a whopping £2,500 fine. ‌ With the Lionesses storming into the Women's Euro 2025 final this Sunday against Spain, excitement is reaching fever pitch. But while the nation gets ready to cheer on the team, there's a little-known planning law that could turn celebrations into a costly nightmare. ‌ If you're planning to fly an England flag during the big match, the government has mostly relaxed the rules, but there's a major catch. While you're allowed to fly flags from your rooftop, including England, Scotland, Wales, the NHS, LGBT Pride, and even Commonwealth country flags, the trouble starts when the flag is flown from a pole sticking out from the side of your house. ‌ In that case, size really does matter. Flags projecting from anywhere other than the roof must not exceed 2 square metres in size. If you go bigger than that, you're breaking the law. ‌ If you live in a protected area like an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), then you might need special consent just to put the flag up at all. And if you don't comply, you could be slapped with a fine of up to £2,500, and potentially face daily penalties until the flag is taken down. To stay on the right side of the law, follow these top tips - roof-mounted flagpoles are your safest bet as no size limit applies here, unless you're in an AONB. Side-mounted poles, from windows or balconies, should be under 2m², otherwise you are at risk of getting reported. People are also allowed to fly two flags from the same pole, but one must be a national flag and placed on top. According to the official guidance, all flags must be in good condition and safely displayed, on private property with the owner's permission, not blocking official signs or creating transport hazard, and taken down if ordered by the planning authority. Flags which don't need permission include UK national flags (in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), flags of the Commonwealth, UN or any UK-member international organisation, regional and local flags (e.g. Yorkshire, Wessex, Black Country), His Majesty's forces and Armed Forces Day flags, and Pride and NHS flags when flown correctly. So, before you deck out your home in red and white to support the Lionesses, make sure you know the rules, or you could be left footing a hefty legal bill instead of celebrating a win.

UNESCO tag for forts sharpens political focus on Marathi pride
UNESCO tag for forts sharpens political focus on Marathi pride

Time of India

time12-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Time of India

UNESCO tag for forts sharpens political focus on Marathi pride

New Delhi: UNESCO's inclusion of 'Maratha Military Landscapes' in its World Heritage List has added another layer to the Centre's push for Maratha heritage and identity, coming as Maharashtra heads for crucial local body elections later this year. The recognition of 12 Maratha forts — 11 in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu — follows the Centre's grant of classical language status to Marathi ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra assembly polls, a long-pending demand that became central to the BJP-led alliance's victory, political observers said. The opposition has hit out at what it calls "headline-grabbing cultural optics" designed to mask governance lapses. The cultural thrust was also evident when the Indian Navy dropped the colonial-era St George's Cross in 2022 for an ensign inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai PM Modi on Saturday described the UNESCO listing as a moment of national pride. "Every Indian is elated with this recognition. These Maratha military landscapes include 12 majestic forts, 11 of which are in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. When we speak of the glorious Maratha empire, we associate it with good governance, military strength, cultural pride and emphasis on social welfare. The great rulers inspire us with their refusal to bow to any injustice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo I call upon everyone to go visit these forts and learn about the rich history of the Maratha empire," Modi posted on social media. Earlier, when Modi unveiled the Navy's redesigned ensign in Sept 2022, he had said, "Till now the identity of slavery remained on the flag of Indian Navy. But from today onwards, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji, the new Navy flag will fly in the sea and in the sky." BJP's calibrated emphasis on Maratha symbols reflects a larger strategy of cultural nationalism being woven into state politics. By granting Marathi classical language status ahead of the 2024 assembly elections and now amplifying Unesco's recognition of Maratha forts, it has sought to embed itself in the emotive terrain of Maharashtra's regional pride. For BJP, which has historically faced challenges in breaking the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress stronghold over the "Maratha pride" vote, these gestures are a bid to redraw the political map and secure urban and semi-urban Marathi voters. Yet critics argue such symbolism risks crowding out governance debates on agrarian distress, urban infrastructure gaps and unemployment, issues that resonate in local polls. The classical language status for Marathi, granted in early 2024, had been a longstanding demand from cultural bodies and political groups for over a decade. Earlier govts cited procedural hurdles, but NDA cleared the proposal months before state elections, helping it tap into a potent mix of linguistic pride and historical identity. With civic polls due, heritage and identity are again becoming political battlegrounds.

‘Free speech under Reform didn't last long': Why the party's ban on ‘woke' flags risks backfiring
‘Free speech under Reform didn't last long': Why the party's ban on ‘woke' flags risks backfiring

Yahoo

time06-05-2025

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

‘Free speech under Reform didn't last long': Why the party's ban on ‘woke' flags risks backfiring

Flush from their barnstorming performance in last week's council elections, Reform UK have announced that their latest flagship policy will be… flags. On Monday, Zia Yusuf, the party's chairman, announced that in the local authorities under Reform control, only the St George's Cross, the Union Flag and county flags could be flown on public buildings. After a backlash, the party confirmed that county flags would be allowed, too, at official buildings in the the 10 regions it won control of on Thursday: Durham, Kent, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Doncaster, North Northamptonshire, West Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. 'No other flags will be permitted to be flown on its flag-poles, balconies, reception desks or council-chamber wall,' Yusuf wrote in a post on X. Yet the response from Telegraph readers suggests that in mixing seemingly authoritarian strictures with healthy patriotism, Reform may be making a mistake. Taking pride in your national flag is one thing – surveys have repeatedly shown that voters have a strong positive impression of the Union Flag and, to a lesser extent, the St George's cross – but banning others is another. The policy would see the Ukrainian flag, which has flown in many official buildings in solidarity since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in early 2022, taken down, along with flags celebrating Pride, the Armed Forces and other interest groups. Opposition MPs from across the political spectrum were swift to criticise the plans. Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover & Deal, wrote that it was 'shameful' and 'sickening' and accused Reform of being 'Putin's Puppets'. The Liberal Democrats accused Reform of 'meaningless virtue-signalling', which must have stung: they know what they are talking about. Mark Francois, the shadow armed forces minister, said that 'flags were important symbols and should be respected as such' and that the policy 'hadn't been thought through.' 'Common sense coming to a Town near you' Ben Page, the chief executive of polling company Ipsos, says that despite the outcry, which has seen some accuse Reform of indulging in the kind of cancel culture it regularly accuses the Left of spearheading, the party's new policy may be sound politics. 'Reform's policy probably doesn't do them any harm,' he says. 'Most people in Britain see flying the Union Jack as a healthy sign of patriotism. The minority who disagree will never vote for Reform anyway.' The reader response to The Telegraph's report on Reform's plans suggests Page might have a point. At the time of writing, it has attracted more than 5,000 online comments. They suggest there is plenty of support for flying the Union Flag and St George's Cross. 'Common sense coming to a Town near you,' wrote Walt Longmire. 'If the national flag of the country you live in offends you, perhaps you are living in the wrong country,' commented Don Murray. 'THANK GOODNESS,' wrote Lynda King. 'I pay taxes and council tax and object to public property being used by militant minorities for political ends.' 'I'm not convinced this has anything to do with banning 'Woke' flags per se, it's more a statement that Reform represent British values and won't let minority groups and causes infiltrate public bodies,' argued James Gregory. 'Supporting woke ideals is fine for individuals. Nothing wrong with freedom of expression, opinion and speech. Expecting public bodies and institutions to fly flags is just not on.' Eilvin Reece commented: 'I fully support Ukraine. But there is no need to fly its flag from our national buildings.' 'Why do councils think voters and ratepayers want them to spend their money on fatuous stunts e.g. flying the Ukraine flag?' wondered Gareth Davies. 'Fix the roads, collect the bins and plant some trees. Otherwise shut up.' Others, such as Gary Jeffrey, took a more moderate view. 'Not sure an outright ban is needed,' he wrote, 'but a decree that any flag flown must be accompanied by a more prominent British national flag would be welcome and promote the message that we are an inclusive nation.' Labour voters more likely to unfavourably view the St George's Cross If polling is to be believed, the past decade or so has been a curious time for flag sentiment. The image of the Union Flag was boosted by the London Olympics, when Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah, clad in Stella McCartney flag kits and gold medals, made getting behind the flag less Promsy and more contemporary. While the Welsh dragon and Scottish saltire were embraced, the St George's Cross was increasingly associated with football hooliganism and the far-Right. According to Ipsos polling, in 2013, 53 per cent of Britons saw flying the St George's Cross 'on a normal day of the year' – i.e. not during a major football tournament – as a 'healthy expression of English national pride'. By 2022 that figure had risen to 56 per cent. But the number seeing it as a 'worrying expression of English nationalism' had also risen from 11 per cent to 17 per cent in the same period. A similar survey by YouGov last April suggested that more than a quarter (27 per cent) of British adults had an unfavourable opinion of flying the St George's Cross, compared to 22 per cent for the Union flag. Among those who voted for Labour in 2019, 44 per cent had an unfavourable view of the St George's Cross, meanwhile. Perhaps mindful of this, Sir Keir Starmer has made an effort to portray Labour as a patriotic party. In April, he became the first Prime Minister to host a St George's Day reception at Downing Street. His party is still haunted by memories of Emily Thornberry's brush with the flag-lovers. In November 2014, Thornberry resigned from Ed Miliband's shadow cabinet after posting a picture of a white van outside a house in Rochester decorated with St George's Cross flags. The image was widely interpreted as snobbery from the MP for Islington South and Finsbury. Last year, a number of Labour MPs complained anonymously about the widespread use of the Union flag on their campaign leaflets. They claimed it might alienate voters from ethnic minorities. 'What a silly start' Reform's flag ban is part of a raft of recent policy announcements from the party focused on cutting back government waste, modelled on the work Elon Musk has done in Donald Trump's department of government efficiency (DOGE). Farage has suggested that council workers in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) roles should start looking for other jobs and said he will set up miniature versions of DOGE for councils. For some readers, having a wide range of flags on official buildings could be divisive in itself, rather than boost inclusivity. 'The varied selection … promotes the differences between people, it creates divisions and leads to sectarian tensions,' wrote David Joy. 'The Union Flag and St George's are flags that bring British people together in Britain and as such should be flown on public buildings.' There was some support for banning specialist flags even from within those communities. 'As a gay man, the only flag flown over councils should be the Union Jack,' wrote Josh Rose. 'We need to stop with divisive pandering and appeasement of communities and instead say that all communities must unite behind a single flag. Unity over division.' Of the Armed Forces flag, Ronald Ayliffe, wrote: 'If sacrificing the AF flag leads to a clean up of the current [confusion around flags], then I am sure most serving soldiers, sailors and airmen would accept that. I am embarrassed to admit that I served for six years and I have no idea what the armed forces flag looks like.' But not everyone was persuaded that flags ought to be Reform's most urgent priority. And some readers suggested Farage, Yusuf and the rest of the party may be making a mistake in banning alternatives. 'Glad that Deform has got its priorities right,' said Albert Taflock sarcastically. 'I suspect we can expect more of this nonsense, instead of actually trying to run a council and improve the lives of their constituents.' Another commentator was equally withering, writing that 'everyone I know has been saying we need the flags sorted out as quickly as possible.' Tim Green said: 'Free speech under Reform didn't last long! What a silly start. Public buildings should fly the Union flag, but there is room for more than one flag pole and banning public support for Ukraine will only serve as a reminder of Farage's warmth to [Vladimir] Putin. The self-conscious imitation of Trump underlines the observation that Reform is just the UK wing of Maga. That's not working out so well for the US economy, constitution or civil society.' 'What will Reform ban next?' wrote Robin Jackons. 'Opposition parties perhaps?' 'A bit Putin-esque' The flag proposal comes as a new report has found that artists have become 'terrified' of voicing political opinions for fear of censure by the Left. The report, by Freedom in the Arts, found that 81 per cent of people working in the industry felt the sharing of controversial opinions on topics risked ostracism – compared with only 35 per cent five years ago. Particularly febrile subjects include Israel and trans rights. In banning individual councils from showing solidarity even with the Armed Forces or Ukraine, some argue that Reform, similarly, are falling into the Left's trap of being intolerant about points of view they disagree with. 'I think this is totally over the top,' wrote Hadley Smith. 'You should be able to fly whatever flag you please. It's clamping down on people's freedoms. It's like saying you can only wear x uniform or only support x party. Getting a bit Putin-esque here.' Jack Hughes argued that 'flags are very emotive things' and councils should be 'allowed to fly flags of their choice,' with 'the exception of flags of our enemies and flags that for some reason show sexual preference.' He added that he worried 'banning the Ukrainian flag will just feed into Labour's false narrative of Farage being soft on Putin.' This may be the main lesson from the charged response to Reform's flag proposals. Farage, Yusuf and other Reform figures pride themselves on returning Britain to 'common sense' government. But common sense is rarely prescriptive, and always subjective. When it comes to flag policy, the answers are blowing in the wind. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

Rishi Sunak wishes St George's Day: All you need to know the day's significance
Rishi Sunak wishes St George's Day: All you need to know the day's significance

Time of India

time23-04-2025

  • Politics
  • Time of India

Rishi Sunak wishes St George's Day: All you need to know the day's significance

Rishi Sunak is proudly celebrating St George's Day . The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and a Member of Parliament of the UK took to social media to share his wish on St George's Day . Sunak, who was born in Southampton to parents of Indian descent who immigrated to Britain from East Africa in the 1960s, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'Proud to be English! Happy St George's Day!' What is St George's Day? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest $200 in Amazon without buying stocks to earn a second salary Marketsall Sign Up Undo Saint George 's Day is the feast day of Saint George, celebrated by Christian churches, countries, regions, and cities of which he is the patron saint, including England, Albania, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Greece, Georgia, Portugal, Romania, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Castile and León, Catalonia, Alcoi, Aragon, Genoa, and Rio de Janeiro. Saint George's Day is celebrated on 23 April, the traditionally accepted date of the saint's death in the Diocletianic Persecution. What is the St George's Cross? The St George's Cross is a red cross on a white background, and it's a Christian symbol strongly associated with Saint George, a military saint. It's most famously known as the flag of England. The cross has been used as a symbol on flags and banners since the Middle Ages, particularly during the Crusades. Symbolism: The red St George's Cross on a white background is a visual representation of the Christian faith and is often associated with the blood of martyrs. It is the national flag of England and is used to symbolize England's identity, history, and values. Patron saint: Saint George is considered the patron saint of England , and the cross became a symbol of the country, particularly after the English Reformation. Significance of the St George's Cross: Historical significance: The St George's Cross has historical roots, with its use dating back to the 13th century. It represents Saint George, England, Genoa, Sardinia, and Georgia, as well as Christianity and the Crusades. In England, it became a prominent symbol associated with the English monarchy and military, particularly after the 13th century. English symbol: The cross was adopted by England in 1190 for ships entering the Mediterranean to gain protection from the Genoese fleet. It became a symbol of the English monarchy and military, with records indicating its use by soldiers in the 1270s. Military distinction: In the 13th century, it was used as a distinguishing mark on uniforms, particularly during the reign of King Edward I. Royal symbol: Accounts from 1277 mention the use of cloth for the king's tailor to manufacture "the arms of Saint George" for soldiers, indicating its importance as a royal symbol. Modern significance: In modern times, the St George's Cross continues to be a powerful symbol of English pride , patriotism, and national identity, especially during sporting events and in discussions related to Britain's place in the world. The flag is heavily displayed during sporting events in which England competes, including cricket, rugby, and football matches. Significance of St George's Day: Celebrated annually on April 23rd, St George's Day is a national day in England commemorating the patron saint of the country. It is a day to honor the legend of Saint George, particularly the story of him slaying a dragon, and to celebrate English identity. The day is marked with various traditions, including parades, religious services, and celebrations, featuring the iconic St George's Cross flag. It is a national holiday in England, and the traditions include parading with St George's cross flag, wearing a red rose, and enjoying traditional English food . Many towns and cities host parades featuring St. George's cross flags, traditional costumes, and music. Some areas organize festivals with food stalls, live music, and other festive activities. St George's Day is often marked by parades and festivals that bring communities together, featuring traditional music, dancing, and performances. Amy Jackson shows off her baby bump in a blue bikini

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