Why is the England flag so controversial?

St George's Cross remains a divisive emblem, mired in a history of nationalism

A man carries an English flag and a Union Flag as he walks over Westminster Bridge
For many, the St George's Cross is 'tainted by association with the far-right'
(Image credit: Glyn Kirk / AFP /Getty Images)

None of the British national flags is debated quite as much as England's St George's Cross. While the flags of Scotland and Wales are a source of great national pride, the English red and white cross remains hugely divisive, due to long-standing associations with the far-right and football hooliganism.

The English flag was again at the centre of controversy in May when the jigsaw manufacturer, Gibsons Games, asked artist Mike Jupp to remove it from a design "as part of a diversity and inclusion drive", said the Daily Mail. Jupp described the move as "woke", but the firm said it had "acted in line" with its "values".

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