A Cambridgeshire arborist, Billy Crotty, found himself abruptly without a job after a striking display of national pride – or, depending on your perspective, a deliberate provocation. Crotty lined a stretch of road with over 300 union flags, a visual statement that quickly drew the attention of both locals and authorities.
Crotty himself acknowledged the flags were, at least in part, a protest against immigration, but insisted his intention wasn’t to frighten anyone. The sudden loss of his parish council contract, however, paints a different picture, leaving him deeply concerned about providing for his five children.
The parish council, led by chair Nick Badger, moved swiftly to distance itself from the controversy. Declaring its political neutrality, the council deemed Crotty’s actions incompatible with its non-partisan stance and terminated the contract, citing the intense media scrutiny that followed.
This incident isn’t isolated. In Scarborough, North Yorkshire, a campaign group known as Operation Raise The Colours is facing a hefty bill for displaying their own patriotic symbols. Erecting 62 English flags has resulted in a charge exceeding £2,300.
Each flag’s removal is costing the group £36.27 plus VAT, a demand the council is prepared to enforce even if the activists don’t want their flags back. The council’s letter made it clear: further flag displays will not be tolerated, and resources will be focused elsewhere.
Operation Raise The Colours’ activities extend beyond domestic displays. This past weekend, members ventured into France, attempting to disrupt migrant crossings of the English Channel by damaging boats. The operation wasn’t without risk; they were pursued from a migrant camp and pelted with stones.
