Supporters hailed her phrases as “eloquently put,” slamming the flags as “low-cost, probably foreign-made and an eyesore”.
Many of the flags have been positioned on lampposts by Elevate the Colors Oxfordshire (Picture: Elevate the Colors)
A fiery Fb rant branding flag-hoisting patriots as “skinheads” has ignited a storm of backlash, exposing deep rifts over Union and England flags fluttering throughout the nation. Susan Allen, a Bampton-in-the-Bush villager, unleashed her tirade on a public village group on Sunday night, simply hours after the banners had been erected in her space and close by Clanfield on February 1.
She wrote: “To the skinheads who arrived in our village along with your entourage and your ladder to place up Union Flags, perceive this: Union means collectively. United. One individuals, sure to one another.” Ms Allen insisted that the Union flag belonged to all, no matter “gender identification, pores and skin color, religion, sexual orientation or class.” She blasted the act as “populist rhetoric designed to divide,” proclaiming: “Our Britain is compassionate and inclusive and can at all times win over hate and division.
A flag on a lamppost within the village (Picture: Ed Nix)
“Now we have way more in frequent than what separates us. We’re a blended, shared story—and we at all times have been and we at all times will. And we’re all a richer nation for it.”
The put up exploded on-line, racking up almost 2,000 reactions and 450 feedback. Supporters hailed her phrases as “eloquently put,” slamming the flags as “low-cost, probably foreign-made and an eyesore” that sow “division.” One commenter urged the flag-raisers to “jog on.”
However critics pounced on Ms Allen’s “skinheads” label, decrying it as a wild generalisation. Daniel Rogers fired again: “I really like the way you mechanically assume that individuals with brief hair are racist skinheads. What an unbelievable generalisation.”
Jennie Whitelock echoed the sentiment: “So bald males at the moment are skinheads. Little bit of a sweeping assertion there. Being patriotic and desirous to help your nation. When did simply supporting English turn into incorrect?”
Charlie Lengthy took a harsher tone, questioning Ms Allen’s credentials as he stated: “Susan you reside in a primary world nation in a pleasant and protected place of Oxfordshire I assume you’ve gotten by no means carried out something to guard this nation and possibly could not in case you tried. This nation and I’ve had sufficient and displaying a flag as one thing wants to vary.”
Susan Allen’s Fb put up (Picture: Fb)
Professional-flag voices celebrated the shows as symbols of pleasure. Simon Martin stated: “Pretty to see all of the flags flying, it offers me an infinite sense of pleasure and hope, effectively carried out lads, you make one hell of a distinction, so sustain the superior work you are doing by Britain nice once more!!!”
Gwyn Eveleigh-Winstone defended the banners: “In the event that they’re adequate to cowl our women and men at repatriation, then they’re adequate to fly within the village. Different international locations are proud to fly their flags. France for instance! I wish to see them.”
Not all had been on board. Laurence Lemoine referred to as for motion: “Time to take down the flags from Operation Elevate the Colors which have appeared within the centre of Bampton. Is it actually the message that this village desires to venture? Bampton Parish Council any thought?”
Judith Sissons posted: “I do not care what they appear to be, skinhead, lengthy haired, black, brown, blonde! In the event that they assume they will deliver division, jog on! If it is about pleasure in our worldwide nationality, wonderful!”
Tracy Anne Bullingham questioned the outsiders: “Do these guys reside in Bampton?? …or are they only going across the Villages placing up low-cost flags from China ? …. Now our council will use our cash to take them down as a substitute of filling the pot holes ! …. Possibly they may go residence and canopy and fly as many flags as they need on their very own property…
“As that manner you possibly can have your views with out forcing it on others who didn’t ask for it ….easy ..then they will present how Patriotic they’re with out us having to pay to have them eliminated …”
The flag frenzy has simmered since final summer time, with banners popping up in Oxford, Carterton, Abingdon, Wantage, Witney, and past. Proponents name it pure patriotism; detractors decry it as unsafe, untidy, and hostile.
Oxfordshire County Council has shelled out £15,000 to yank down 330 flags by December 22, 2025. A spokesperson affirmed: “We proudly fly each the Union Jack and the St George’s flag from our buildings, and we welcome residents displaying flags on their very own personal property.
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“Nevertheless, now we have additionally been clear that putting flags on or close to highways can create severe security hazards, and we are going to proceed to take motion to take away them throughout routine upkeep or the place they pose an instantaneous hazard to highway customers or pedestrians.”
Undeterred, Elevate the Colors Oxfordshire – the group spearheading the hassle – vowed defiance. A number one member advised the Oxford Mail they’d “not give up”.
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