Good Morning Britain viewers outraged as 'hateful' guest insists St George's Flag 'represents racism, not patriotism' and should be CHANGED

Daily Mail​

5 hours ago

Good Morning Britain viewers were left outraged by a guest who proposed removing the St George's flag from England on Tuesday.
The segment comes after an increased number of people have used the flag and the Union Jack to oppose immigration into the UK in recent weeks.
Many have brought the St George's Cross to protests outside of hotels being used by the government to house asylum seekers - such as the Britannia International in Canary Wharf, where several demonstrations have been held.
Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, told hosts Adil Ray and Kate Garraway that the history of the flag has always been problematic.
Andrews said: 'It's not that the far-right has co-opted the flag. It's that we don't understand what this country is and the history of both of these symbols.
'Both of these flags are the flags that were flown on ships that enslaved my ancestors; those are the flags that the British Army marched into places like Pakistan, India, Bengal, Africa, and colonised 25 percent of the world.'
However, Dr Rakib Ehsan took the opposing view and argued that there is absolutely nothing wrong with people displaying the St George's Flag and the Union Jack.
Ehsan said: 'In my view, there are many reasons why we should be proud of British identity. We should celebrate expressions of English pride.
'If I just speak from a personal perspective, I think that Britain has a rich tradition of religious freedom.
'I also think that, compared to other European countries, it fares much better in terms of anti-discrimination laws against its minorities.'
While Ehsan acknowledged why some people are now viewing the flags differently, he believes that they can be a symbol of unity.
He went on: 'But I actually think when I see ethnic minority people expressing pride in their Britishness, celebrating their sense of belonging in England, I think that's the perfect antidote, a great counter-challenge to far-right activity and those groups that ultimately want to take ownership of those flags.'
However, Andrews insisted that the flag simply cannot be used in this way.
Andrews later added: 'These flags, these symbols, they represent white supremacy. You're never going to get a large majority who will never look at that flag and never see anything but intimidation.'
Reactions to the segment online were mixed, with many arguing that there is nothing 'hateful' about the flags, fuming: 'This is England, the English will fly their flag as and when they want to, WHEREVER they want to.'
Reactions to the segment online were mixed, with many arguing that there is nothing 'hateful' about the flags, fuming: 'This is England, the English will fly their flag as and when they want to, WHEREVER they want to'
While Ehsan acknowledged why some people are now viewing the flags differently, he believes that they can be a symbol of unity
Others agreed: 'Why are we arguing about the British flag?! We are in Britain! In Greece they have their flag everywhere so do Italy Spain all over Europe.';
'This is the exact reason the country is on its a**e. Idiots like this saying a country's flag is a symbol of hate when actually it's the wokeness of the country which has made it that way, and the way authorities force things down your throat.'
But there were viewers who agreed that the flag has been latched onto by the far right, making its usage now problematic.
They wrote: 'It's not being patriotic though is it? We all know why it's happening.'
'Interesting debate. Unfortunately though there is no doubt that the St George's flag especially has been latched onto by far right fake patriot groups and used as their banner to spread hate.
'I'd love the country to reclaim its flag from those people.';
'In this instance they're being flown as a deliberately act of racist provocation by the far right, who sadly have claimed the flag as theirs.
'Why is a national flag required at a protest about migrant hotels? Doesn't mean though flags are inherently racist & cant ever be flown [sic].'