On Littleton Road, on the approach to Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium, dozens of Union Jacks have been zip tied to lampposts in recent months.
“It’s representing the United Kingdom isn’t it?”, says Andy, 43, who lives on the road. “Neville has got a bit of a point [about negative uses], but we should be able to put the flag up when we want.”
It takes about 20 minutes to walk the length of Littleton Road, and then another 30 or so to reach Salford Shopping Centre. The whole stretch is full of newly affixed flags on both sides of the road.
“I don’t mind the flags being put up, but I think it’s got to be for a reason which is peaceful,” says 68-year-old former NHS worker Adrian. “It’s got to acknowledge support for the United Kingdom, with no wicked intent against other individuals or groups.”
For some, the fact that flag flying in urban areas has become much more common at a time when anti-immigration sentiment and marches have increased means the intent is inherently suspicious.
“I’m a Man City fan, but I agree with Gary Neville!”, says Mark, 43. “Some people genuinely are trying to show their national pride, but there are also people with more nefarious reasons doing it. I’m proud to be British, but I wouldn’t be flying a flag right now because of the negative connotation. It seems to have been hijacked by bigger things at play.”
There are plenty of flags on display outside private homes in the area too, and some are defiant about their individual demonstration of national identity.
“I’ve got one in my garden, and I’m not taking it down for anybody,” says 75-year-old Ken. “I’ve had people knocking and asking me to take it down, but I won’t.”
The context in which people choose to fly the flag was a key theme residents deemed important.
“It’s our right to fly our flag and be proud of it – why should we be made to feel ashamed of that?”, says Janet, 75. “[But] some of our own people are hijacking it – the ones who go on marches and political rallies with their own agenda, they’re using it for the wrong reasons.”
