Farage hails ‘patriotism’ as flags appear across Britain after large London rally

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the appearance of Union and St George flags across British streets is a “two‑fingered salute” to what he called “our gutless leaders”, declaring “patriotism is back” after a weekend rally in central London.

The comments came as thousands of flags have been mounted in recent weeks in towns and cities including Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich and on the Isle of Wight as part of a coordinated campaign dubbed Operation Raise the Colours. The movement, and a march organised in London by Tommy Robinson under the banner Unite The Kingdom, followed heightened debate over migration and national identity.

Organisers said an estimated 150,000 people took part in the London march on Saturday, a figure that would make it one of the largest demonstrations of its kind in recent years. Marchers and many residents who have displayed flags online said they were expressing pride in the nation and resisting what they described as attempts to curtail free expression.

The Metropolitan Police said officers faced “unacceptable violence” while policing the event. Police reported that 26 officers were injured after being kicked, punched and struck by bottles, flares and other projectiles. Reported injuries included broken teeth, a possible broken nose, concussion, a prolapsed disc and a head injury, the force said. Downing Street and senior Met officials condemned violence at the rally.

Farage, writing in The Sun, described the majority of participants as “ordinary decent people” and sought to distance himself from organisers and from the attacks on officers. In his column he wrote: "[We have] had enough of being called far‑right simply because we believe in tough border controls and our national identity. We have had enough of gutless leaders who put the will of foreign courts above our national interest." He added that the widespread display of flags should be read as a rebuke to political leaders.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the prime minister supports free speech but acknowledged that some people may have felt “intimidated” by the weekend scenes. The spokesperson said: "It can also be true there will be people around the country who will have seen the scenes at the weekend and feel intimidated and scared because of their background, the colour of their skin." The government has condemned violence and called for calm.

Local councils in several areas had discouraged or sought to restrict coordinated flag displays, but residents in some streets said they were defying those instructions. On social media, participants and supporters framed the campaign as grassroots, saying they felt the time had come to "all band together" and refuse to be bullied over national pride.

Police described significant operational challenges in controlling the large crowds and responding to confrontations. The Met has said it will review policing decisions and operations in the wake of the event; inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the injuries to officers and any offences committed are ongoing.

The weekend's events add to a wider national conversation about migration policy, public demonstrations and the boundaries of acceptable protest. Organisers of the London march have argued that their demonstration was peaceful in intent, while police, government figures and some community leaders have expressed concern about the potential for intimidation and disorder when large crowds assemble around emotive issues.

Farage's comments, and the wider flag‑display campaign, are likely to intensify debates ahead of local and national political contests, with politicians and community groups examining how public symbols and street‑level actions intersect with policy debates. The Met and other authorities said they would continue to work to protect public safety while upholding the right to lawful protest.

Investigations into the violence in central London are continuing, and the number of injuries to officers may be subject to revision as further reports are received and medical assessments are completed. Politicians from across the spectrum have urged restraint and called for any perpetrators of violence to be brought to justice.