Birmingham City Council is taking legal action to remove around 20,000 England and Union Jack flags that have been placed on lampposts and other public infrastructure across the city. These flags are part of a grassroots campaign called Operation Raise the Colours, which began in August and aims to promote patriotism by displaying national flags in public spaces. The council has applied for a High Court injunction to stop unauthorized flags and banners from being attached to public roads, stating that such actions are illegal and pose safety risks. The decision has caused public debate, with some accusing the council of trying to suppress national symbols and push a political agenda. However, the council clarified that it is not banning the display of flags on private property, only unauthorized attachments to public infrastructure. Individuals caught attaching flags to street furniture without permission could face fines or even jail time, according to local regulations. According to court documents, removing each flag costs the council around £132. The process is complicated by safety concerns and past incidents where staff faced harassment during removals, requiring police support. To ensure the safety of contractors, flags must be taken down in the dark, which adds to the logistical and financial burden. The law allows people to fly the Union Flag or St George's Cross on private property without needing permission. However, placing flags near roads requires approval from the highway authority. Birmingham City Council is led by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Greens, and independent members. The controversy has raised questions about the council’s spending, especially as it declared itself bankrupt in September 2023 with over £3.5 billion in debt. Councillor Rajbir Singh, a member of Reform UK’s shadow cabinet, criticized the decision to spend millions on flag removals while cutting other essential services. He argued that national flags should not be seen as symbols needing removal. In contrast, Councillor Jane Baston, responsible for equalities and social justice, defended the spending, stating that the strategy is lawful and based on public safety concerns, urging residents to only fly flags where they have proper permission. In other parts of the UK, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, pledged to use the party’s legal resources to support Operation Raise the Colours in its efforts to place flags on public infrastructure. This comes after Oxfordshire County Council was granted a similar High Court injunction in July. At a recent party conference, Farage responded to a question from campaign organizer Ryan Bridge, promising legal support for the movement. He claimed the campaign has "woken up vast parts of the country" and accused Birmingham and Oxfordshire councils of "clearly actually hating the country."