Grass-roots activists styling themselves the “English Flag Movement” expanded a campaign on Thursday to hoist St. George’s flags at prominent sites, including outside a new migrant hotel in Canary Wharf, London. Supporters say the initiative—informally dubbed “Operation Raise the Colours”—is intended to protest what they view as hostility toward expressions of national identity by public authorities. Conservative MP Robert Jenrick aligned himself with the push, installing Union flags in his Newark constituency in what he called a stand against “Britain-hating” local councils that he claims discourage such displays. His intervention has sharpened debate inside the governing Labour administration over the use of national symbols, drawing criticism from some commentators who accuse politicians of exploiting the issue as a loyalty test. The flag campaign follows weeks of demonstrations outside hotels earmarked for asylum seekers, underscoring tensions over immigration policy as well as broader questions about free expression and patriotism in public spaces. No incidents of violence were reported on Thursday, but several councils said they were monitoring gatherings near public buildings and private accommodation sites.