The Home Secretary stated that white men who wave the England flag are bad people.

Public debates surrounding national symbols in the United Kingdom often involve discussions about the display of the St. George's Cross during demonstrations. Government officials, including the Home Secretary, have addressed how national flags are utilized during contentious protests and far-right campaigns.theguardian.comtheguardian.comRacism or celebration? What England’s flag-hoisters are sayingThe Incidents: In September 2025, large-scale anti-immigration demonstrations—organized in part by far-right figures like Tommy Robinson—took place in central London, drawing tens of thousands of participants

Official commentary and parliamentary addresses emphasize that national symbols belong to everyone, drawing a clear boundary between patriotism and extremist agitation.thenationalnews.comthenationalnews.comYou Can Be English and Look Like Me Shabana Mahmood Challenges Englands Far...Official Stance on the Flag: In subsequent official statements and addresses to Parliament concerning national demonstrations and the display of the St George’s Cross, Mahmood explicitly stated that national symbols belong to everyone They... Rather than condemning individuals simply for displaying the flag, officials have focused their criticism on the hijacking of national symbols by far-right groups and anti-immigrant agitators.heraldscotland.comheraldscotland.com25490178.home Secretary Warns Far Right Rhetoric Getting ControlDistinction Between Patriotism and Extremism: Mahmood and other government officials have frequently drawn a distinction between legitimate national pride/patriotism and the hijacking of national flags by far-right or anti-immigrant... Public discussions and media reports have frequently highlighted this distinction, contradicting claims that the Home Secretary generalized or condemned citizens for displaying the English flag.+1 more