St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags have appeared in unprecedented numbers along streets, roundabouts and bridges across England since mid-August, with Amazon reporting record sales of more than a million flags in just two weeks. Much of the activity is being coordinated online under “Operation Raise the Colours,” a campaign linked to the Birmingham-based Wheely Warriors group and other grassroots networks that encourage supporters to put up flags or paint road markings. Organisers frame the surge as a celebration of national pride. Critics, including community groups and some local authorities, say the displays coincide with heated protests over asylum-seeker accommodation and reflect a growing anti-immigration mood. A YouGov survey shows immigration has replaced the economy as voters’ chief concern, underscoring the political sensitivity of the issue. Several councils have begun taking down flags from public land. Tower Hamlets in east London cited safety and community cohesion, while Essex County Council circulated a memo offering support to employees who feel “unsettled” by the banners. The mixed response is mirrored nationally: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has endorsed the flag initiative, whereas Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman said the Union Jack symbolises shared values but should not be used to inflame divisions. The dispute highlights how cultural symbols are becoming flashpoints in Britain’s immigration debate. With sporadic demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers and a general election on the horizon, officials and campaigners alike are weighing whether the wave of flags marks a benign patriotic revival or a warning sign of hardening attitudes toward newcomers.