A Cambridgeshire arborist, Billy Crotty, found himself abruptly without a job after a bold, controversial display of patriotism. Over three hundred union flags suddenly lined a stretch of road, a vibrant and defiant statement that quickly drew the attention – and ire – of local authorities.
Crotty insists his intention wasn’t to frighten anyone, but readily admitted the flags were a form of protest against illegal immigration. The decision to display them, however, came at a steep personal cost. With five children relying on his income, the cancellation of his parish council contract created immediate financial uncertainty.
The parish council, led by chair Nick Badger, moved swiftly to distance itself from the spectacle. They emphasized their commitment to political neutrality, stating the intense media scrutiny generated by the flags necessitated the contract’s termination. Remaining impartial was paramount, they explained.
This incident isn’t isolated. In Scarborough, North Yorkshire, a campaign group, “Operation Raise The Colours,” faced a hefty bill for displaying English flags. The local authority charged over £2,300 for the removal of just 62 flags.
One activist involved was personally assessed a cost of £36.27 per flag, plus VAT, for their removal. The council made it clear they would pursue these costs regardless of whether the group wanted the flags back, a firm stance against further displays.
The council’s letter underscored their concern for resource allocation, stating limited funds were better spent on essential services than repeatedly addressing flag-related issues. They explicitly demanded a cessation of further flag installations to prevent future safety concerns and expenses.
“Operation Raise The Colours” has taken its activism beyond British shores, recently venturing into France. There, they attempted to disrupt migrant crossings of the English Channel, even filming themselves being pursued from a migrant camp and pelted with stones.
