this post was submitted on 30 Mar 2024
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UK Politics

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27
Keir Starmer faces discontent as Labour MPs reject union jack election flyers (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 6 months ago by GreyShuck@feddit.uk to c/uk_politics@feddit.uk
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[–] mannycalavera@feddit.uk 16 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

Using the flag of the UK.... on campaign material for a UK political party? Jaysus lads, what were they thinking?!

Unless it's used in a jingoistic way (think wrapped around a 19th century military figure that has their boots on the backs of the poor whilst proclaiming Britons never never shall be slaves type of thing) then I really don't get why Labour party members are in fighting about such a thing instead of concentrating on winning a thumping majority.

I think the electorate is smart enough to understand this.

[–] sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al 18 points 6 months ago (2 children)

I think maintaining your values is important. Especially when so many have been eroded in the name of winning a thinking majority. Labour hasn't been a flag waving party since World War 2. In fact that kinda stuff has been left to the likes of the Farage's.

[–] frankPodmore@slrpnk.net 5 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

As a different flag waving Labour PM once said, 'There's only one Labour tradition I never liked: losing'.

Labour's values are British values, and vice-versa. I'm not saying this in a jingoistic way, but our particular form of social democracy is a part of how we see ourselves as a country, and Labour is obviously a part of that. There's no harm in saying we like this country and no possible good can come from pretending we don't.

Anyway, if flag-waving was something Labour was doing as far back as World War 2, I'd say that in itself makes it pretty traditional.

[–] Risk@feddit.uk 3 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Maybe waving the flag a bit more would have helped capture those people that don't think beyond it? Does no harm, surely?

[–] HumanPenguin@feddit.uk 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Harm would potentially be. Huge number of people who associate it with nationalism.

Parties like BNP EDL etc have given the idea a bad taste. Add the negativity that the "Soverienty" crap during brexit caused. Means there is a sizable % of voters. Seeing its use in political ads as negative.

Given the tory party media seems to be selecting articles designed to reduce labour turn out. I imagine many labour MPs are thinking why the hell help them.

[–] thehatfox@lemmy.world 10 points 6 months ago (2 children)

A huge (and arguably huger) number of people associate it with the UK.

The national flag, and any other symbol, only become the territory of extremists if we cede those symbols to them. The flag can equally represent any number of positive visions of the UK and it’s values, and Labour should be well placed to do that if they stake a claim to it.

[–] aleph@lemm.ee -2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

This is a valid viewpoint, but arguing what should be the case versus what is the case has to be a measured risk in politics.

Yes, the flag can represent positive values however in the UK specifically, the fact is that there is already a strong connotation of jingoism, nationalism, and imperialism associated with waving it, for the left wing in particular.

Thefore Starmer should know that while this decision may succeed in attracting positive public attention from those in the centre/right, many on the left will have a strong, innate, negative reaction and you can't dismiss that reaction by saying simply telling people "you shouldn't feel that way."

[–] HumanPenguin@feddit.uk -2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

But given the following.

Children of immigrants etc non in the UK. Have valid reasons to associate the flag with those extremists.

Those same immigrant decendents tend to vote left. Due to the right also being closer associated with those same extremists. Had the Conservative history of imperialism within the UK.

The fact is. We have already ceded the flag.

An election. That has nothing to do with the flag. Is in no way the time to fight for its reputation.

And losing power due to failed turn out from those who see the flag as ceded to extremists. In no way helps you win back the flag.

Not to mention. Sorry but you are not in a majority. The vast majority of non nationalist voters. We just do not care that much about the flag.

You will need to win love for the flag among non nationalists. Before claiming it is not a call to nationalism in an election.

[–] Jackthelad@lemmy.world 4 points 6 months ago

"We don't care that much about the flag", he says, whilst making multiple comments explaining how he doesn't care about the flag and how they definitely shouldn't be using the flag.

If people want to associate the Union flag with extremists, then that's entirely on them. The flag hasn't changed. It's not like the Nazis changing everyone's perception of the Swastika.

[–] sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al -2 points 6 months ago

The thing is, Labour has been the home traditionally of people of colour. Unfortunately the same people that wave flags often tell those people of colour to go home. Now you're saying they should be made to feel unwelcome in order to capture people that at the very least, align with racists?

[–] FuckyWucky@hexbear.net 5 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Ok, but it wasnt there before so why add it now? it is very clearly to appeal to nationalists.

conservatives have always used the Union Jack prominently but Labour has been pretty subtle about it. it is clearly a deliberate choice.

[–] darkphotonstudio@beehaw.org 8 points 6 months ago

Considering the sizable issues this country is facing, this seems like a stupid hill to die on.

[–] DessertStorms@kbin.social 7 points 6 months ago

This is by far the most minor thing Starmer has done to appeal to right winged voters, the sad thing is though - it works, this is exactly how the Overton window is shifted.

[–] theinspectorst@kbin.social 5 points 6 months ago

You do have to feel for these red wall Brexit voters.

Apparently they require constant visual assurance that they are in fact still in Britain, and can't just maintain this information in their heads like the rest of us.

[–] Jackthelad@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago

Major British political party uses the British flag. How can anyone vote for them now?!

I've never understood why people care so much and read so much into a flag. On both sides. The people who think a flag is racist (lol), or the flagshagging types. Both very weird sets of people.

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Imagine getting mad because your election flyers have the flag of the country you're (supposedly) trying to become the government of.

[–] autotldr@lemmings.world 2 points 6 months ago

This is the best summary I could come up with:

Keir Starmer is facing discontent from Labour MPs over the dominant use of the union flag in election campaign material amid concern it may alienate ethnic minority voters and others.

There is also increasing unhappiness about the lengthy delay to the investigation into Diane Abbott, who had the Labour whip removed almost a year ago, as well as discontent over the party’s progress on BAME representation.

The union flag has taken on an increasingly prominent role under Starmer as he seeks to emphasise Labour’s “patriotic” credentials to assert that the party has changed from the Jeremy Corbyn era.

“I can see how it would work in some places but it’s definitely detrimental in university towns, and in heavily BAME seats,” said another MP who attended one of the meetings and who added that “multiple colleagues” had told him of activists refusing to give out the leaflets.

“The flag dominates, and of course Labour red,” states the video, which also recommends the use of a “poppins” font and says that MPs and organisers should use the template to ensure “brand consistency”.

A leaked strategy document seen by the Guardian in 2021 advised Labour to make “use of the [union] flag, veterans [and] dressing smartly” as part of a rebranding.

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