Sir Keir Starmer has been labelled a “plastic patriot” after quietly ending a 16-year tradition of flying the St George’s Cross during major England tournaments.
The Prime Minister, known as a football supporter, has opted not to display the English flag at Downing Street for the World Cup, despite earlier saying he would “fly our flag proudly” on St George’s Day this year.
Previous prime ministers have typically flown the flag on matchdays or throughout tournaments — a practice that became more consistent under David Cameron in 2010. At the time, then-local government minister Grant Shapps even encouraged councils nationwide to show their support, saying it would help avoid looking like “spoilsports.”
Theresa May also said No10 was “proud to fly the flag” during the 2018 World Cup as England’s campaign gathered momentum.
Downing Street was decorated in red and white for the Euro 2024 final early in Sir Keir’s tenure, and again the following year when England’s Lionesses beat Spain to retain the Women’s Euros.
But in the aftermath of “Operation Raise the Colours”, the Prime Minister has taken a more cautious approach to flag displays.
He initially signalled support for public flag-flying, with his spokesman saying he even kept an England flag in his flat that he brought back from the Euros in Germany.
However, later that year, Sir Keir spoke about “reclaiming the flag” from the far right, after activists began raising flags across parts of the country. He described the Union Jack and St George’s Cross as symbols of inclusion, and on St George’s Day said: “It’s our flag. It belongs to us, and we will fly it for the values we believe in.”
Despite that, the flag did not appear during England’s World Cup group-stage matches. Downing Street later said there were plans to fly it during the knockout rounds, but Sir Keir chose not to follow the usual tradition for England’s games against Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
He also reportedly considered flying Scotland’s Saltire had they reached the knockout stage, though that possibility ended when they were knocked out.
Reform UK criticised the decision, calling it “empty rhetoric” and questioning why the government had stepped away from a long-standing tradition of flying the St George’s Cross during England matches.
Starmer said on St George’s Day that he was “very encouraging” of the flag, but critics now say it looks like empty talk and little more than meaningless rhetoric.
“They will go down as one of the most unpatriotic governments in modern British history.”
Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “Keir Starmer claims he loves his country but won’t fly the England flag for the World Cup. He’s just another Labour Party plastic patriot.
“He should show some backbone and pride in our flag and our history. These are the things that bring us together.
“Whatever Starmer and his colleagues think, millions of us will be cheering England on until the final whistle in every game.”
