Flying more flags could help reduce tensions in the capital, according to an educational charity who advise parliament on the use of flags.
“Having more flags is always going to be helpful in terms of expression, and not being so binary,” Philip Tibbetts, of the Flag Institute, told CityNews.
The Flag Institute promotes greater understanding of flags, and flag flying. The charity provides guidance on flag designs and protocols, and runs design competitions for new flags.
Recent months have seen communities in London become fractured by flags. While some claim that the masses of St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags are being hung with pride and patriotism, others fear it’s a symbol of something more sinister.
Tibbetts argues that you can rehabilitate a flag, “if you think that there are people using a national flag in an exclusionary and nasty way, then fly it with another flag.. If you fly two flags, whether that’s one after the other or side by side, that’s an expression of a deeper and more complex relationship”.
Research from More in Common found that this is a contentious topic for Brits; 41% believe that the country’s flags are being raised out of pride in Britain; while 42% believe it is a political statement against immigrants.
Design by David Shrigley, Photo by Stephen Freidman Gallery
Building a flag for London
Philip believes that “flags are a visual way of preserving and promoting the idea of a patchwork of local identities” and that a brand new flag could offer the chance to celebrate London’s rich medley of communities coming together and complement the positive aspects of the Union Jack that is so synonymous with the capital.
In order to do that, according to The Flag Institute, the formal process of designing a flag would entail an open competition featuring representatives from communities across the city as judges.
Having supported the development of several flags across the UK, Philip said that it’s very likely we’d see another call for a ‘Flaggy McFlagface’.
“I have seen some brilliant Flaggy McFlagfaces in my time. They’re absolutely fantastic.”
London’s History of Flags
The last official flag for Greater London was axed when the Greater London Council (GLC) was abolished in 1986 by former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.
Since then, numerous flags have been proposed by Londoners in an attempt to fill the gap.
Proud Londoner and flag enthusiast, Juan Castro-Varon, was inspired by the city’s iconic surroundings to design his own. “I always thought it was a shame that London lacked a flag to represent it. So I made one.”
‘A new London Flag’ by Juan Castro-Varón
During the #Londependence campaign, creatives in the capital dreamt up flag ideas for an independent London. This included TimeOut drafting up a Communist hammer and sickle design which paid homage to the Great London Chicken Shop.
Designed by Tom Havell, Tim Clark and Bryan Mayes
Think your flag could hold its own in a good gust? Tag us on socials @CityLondonNews on Instagram, TikTok and X.
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HeadlineAre more flags in London the answer to the city’s growing tensions?
Short HeadlineCould more flags solve the city's tensions?
StandfirstExperts believe that flags can be used as a powerful instrument for a positive change in the community.
Flying more flags could help reduce tensions in the capital, according to an educational charity who advise parliament on the use of flags.
“Having more flags is always going to be helpful in terms of expression, and not being so binary,” Philip Tibbetts, of the Flag Institute, told CityNews.
The Flag Institute promotes greater understanding of flags, and flag flying. The charity provides guidance on flag designs and protocols, and runs design competitions for new flags.
Recent months have seen communities in London become fractured by flags. While some claim that the masses of St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags are being hung with pride and patriotism, others fear it’s a symbol of something more sinister.
Tibbetts argues that you can rehabilitate a flag, “if you think that there are people using a national flag in an exclusionary and nasty way, then fly it with another flag.. If you fly two flags, whether that’s one after the other or side by side, that’s an expression of a deeper and more complex relationship”.
Research from More in Common found that this is a contentious topic for Brits; 41% believe that the country’s flags are being raised out of pride in Britain; while 42% believe it is a political statement against immigrants.
Design by David Shrigley, Photo by Stephen Freidman Gallery
Building a flag for London
Philip believes that “flags are a visual way of preserving and promoting the idea of a patchwork of local identities” and that a brand new flag could offer the chance to celebrate London’s rich medley of communities coming together and complement the positive aspects of the Union Jack that is so synonymous with the capital.
In order to do that, according to The Flag Institute, the formal process of designing a flag would entail an open competition featuring representatives from communities across the city as judges.
Having supported the development of several flags across the UK, Philip said that it’s very likely we’d see another call for a ‘Flaggy McFlagface’.
“I have seen some brilliant Flaggy McFlagfaces in my time. They’re absolutely fantastic.”
London’s History of Flags
The last official flag for Greater London was axed when the Greater London Council (GLC) was abolished in 1986 by former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.
Since then, numerous flags have been proposed by Londoners in an attempt to fill the gap.
Proud Londoner and flag enthusiast, Juan Castro-Varon, was inspired by the city’s iconic surroundings to design his own. “I always thought it was a shame that London lacked a flag to represent it. So I made one.”
‘A new London Flag’ by Juan Castro-Varón
During the #Londependence campaign, creatives in the capital dreamt up flag ideas for an independent London. This included TimeOut drafting up a Communist hammer and sickle design which paid homage to the Great London Chicken Shop.
Designed by Tom Havell, Tim Clark and Bryan Mayes
Think your flag could hold its own in a good gust? Tag us on socials @CityLondonNews on Instagram, TikTok and X.
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