Opinion, Watford Observer, 21 September 2025: Flying of national flags in Britain 'should be encouraged' | Watford Observer
Whilst we can’t have a town where anyone can attach anything they choose - whether we like the message or not - to lampposts in different parts of Watford, the sentiment behind those who are seeking to fly our national flags deserves our respect.
Our national flags are not symbols of racism or division. On the contrary, they are rallying points around which all members of our community can proudly stand.
Now more than ever we need to strengthen our local communities and the nation as a whole by nurturing our sense of national belonging with all our fellow citizens.
Regardless of when our ancestors arrived in Britain, and whatever our political, social or religious beliefs, all British citizens should feel part of a national community that is represented in the symbols of our nation: our flags, our anthems, our institutions and our King.
Yet some of the left seem to believe that promoting our national symbols is divisive. The opposite is the case. It is the neglect of fostering a sense of national community that has left this hunger for a re-assertion of our national symbols.
So let us take this forward together proactively. Our national flags should fly every day on all public buildings, including council offices, hospitals and schools. Our national symbols should be prominently displayed in public spaces everywhere. The official portrait of the King should be on display in the reception areas of all public buildings.
Individuals should be encouraged to have their own flagpoles in their gardens or the walls of their homes, as is the case across much of Scandinavia for example.
All children should leave school with a good understanding of our national history.
In an era where social media and the echo chambers of our politics all too often foster division, there can be no greater virtue than reinforcing our sense of being one nation than by promoting the symbols that can unite the whole country.
Stephen Woodard
Chairman, Watford Conservatives
