The Union Jack is a symbol of imperialism

PAINTING red crosses onto white mini-roundabouts and pedestrian crossings reflects a confusion.

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Not just for drivers. The spray-paint action is a political statement of ultra-nationalism.

The Red Cross on White background is the national flag of England. This “Flag of St George” is incorporated into the imperialist Union Jack which forcibly unified England, Scotland, Wales and the colonies, becoming known across the world as the “Butcher's Apron” because it was flown into every battle across every continent and subjugated a third of the world under the great British Empire of the 19th century.

The Union Jack is a symbol of power, of conquest, of imperialism even today. All flags symbolise power, and a lot more besides. Flags rally people into a shared identity, a common cause, and a commitment. The flag of St George is now being flown from windows and balconies and lampposts signifying a newfound symbolism.

Mixing myth with dogma, the English flag is now being flown as the call to arms against refugees and asylum seekers. Black refugees. And Muslims. Overwhelmingly, the poorest and most helpless in society.