Council offers support to staff unsettled by St George’s flags

**Council Offers Support To Staff Unsettled By Flags**

In today’s post, I look at the recent headline: “Council offers support to staff unsettled by St George’s flags.” Yes, you read that right. I open with a picture of the St George’s Cross—on a church, fittingly—because it’s a good place to fly a flag without it being pulled down.

What happened

Commentators on X (Twitter) such as David Vance and Adam Brooks highlighted an email from Essex County Council stating that the St George’s Cross and Union Jack might “evoke feelings of discomfort,” even associating the flags with anti-immigration principles, particularly for colleagues of colour. Staff were told they could seek support if they felt “unsettled or affected.”

My view is simple: these are our national flags. If you’re in the United Kingdom, these flags represent the nation and should be respected.

A personal note

I was recently in Greece, a country I love and have been privileged to spend time in. Greek flags are everywhere, and it’s wonderful to see. Here in the UK we often see more Ukrainian flags than Union Jacks. That balance has begun to shift, and I’m glad people are making a stand about what’s happening in our country.

Wider context mentioned

Reports refer to an online campaign called “Operation Raise the Colours,” which has prompted hundreds of flags to be raised across England in recent weeks. The Conservative-run county council’s Children and Family Senior Leadership Team said the St George’s and Union Jack flags may hold different meanings for different people and encouraged any unsettled staff to speak to managers, adding: “We stand firmly against all forms of racism and discrimination.”

Elsewhere, Tower Hamlets Council in East London said it would remove any St George’s flags from council property, and in Birmingham the Labour-run council claimed the flags posed risks to pedestrians and motorists and removed hundreds from street furniture. By contrast, Reform UK-run Kent County Council said it would not remove flags unless they posed a genuine safety risk. To me, this all seems to call for common sense.

THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IN ESSEX ‼️ https://t.co/QqMvJ3IMzj

— Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR ?? (@EssexPR) August 28, 2025

A Christian response: peace instead of being unsettled

This is a Christian channel, so I want to bring Scripture to bear—because the Bible shows us how to deal with anxiety and where to fix our focus. The peace we need doesn’t come from councils, politics, or flags; it comes from Jesus Christ.

John 14:27 (NKJV)
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NKJV)
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

When we truly know Him and walk with Him, we experience His peace—even when headlines feel absurd. Jesus is our real peace, and nothing else can replace that.

A simple prayer

If you’re reading this and you don’t yet know Jesus, I invite you to pray sincerely and turn from your old ways. The Holy Spirit will come and make you new.

“Dear Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You as Lord and Saviour of my life. I repent of all my sins and I ask You today to take over complete control of every aspect of my life. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer and meant it, the Bible promises new life in Christ—eternal life, and peace that the world cannot give.

Join the conversation

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this story and how we, as believers, should respond. Please leave a comment below and share this post if it encouraged you.

Council Offers Support To Staff Unsettled By St George’s Flags