Gareth Southgate has called for England to unite as he admits he is concerned about the state of unity in modern life. The former Three Lions manager appeared on BBC Breakfast during which he was asked about the use of the St George’s and Union Jack flags, sparking a debate about what they represent in modern times.
The increased use has led some to link the flag to the rise of far-right demonstrations across the United States. Earlier this year, flags were displayed on lampposts and roundabouts, with Stand Up to Racism’s Louis Nielsen warning that the proliferation of flags was “really dangerous”.
The Operation Raise the Colors initiative quickly became a national topic, and Southgate is now involved in the issue.
“I’m worried about unity,” Southgate confessed. “I’ve seen what we’ve done with our teams bring all of our communities together. I think there’s more that brings us all together than what separates us all.
“In every period of history, some kind of discord exists beneath the surface. People’s lives are difficult, and the economy is also difficult.
“But that’s not all… Covid-19 was a great example of people shopping for their neighbours. People came together. That’s the spirit of Britain and I think we should focus on what unites us, not what separates us.”
Asked whether he thought there was more disagreement now than there was a few years ago, Mr Southgate said: “It feels that way, but we have an opportunity to change that narrative.
“We’ve seen a big night with Britain unite all communities and show people how proud they are to be British.
“When I travel, I know that’s what people talk to me about. There was a big disconnect with the team when we first started, but eight years later, we had some great nights and made some great memories. Those are the things we should focus on more.”
Mr Southgate’s comments came just days after a 68-year-old pensioner said he was assaulted after taking down a flag from a lamppost.
An unnamed man from Norwich claimed he encountered a group of men trying to remove a British flag in his neighbourhood, and one of them stamped on his head.
“I was lying face down on the road and they tried to hit me and used the pole they were using to take down the flag to hit me. Then someone stomped on my head,” he said. The attack finally ended when a passerby intervened and called the police. ”
Norfolk Police closed the investigation citing a lack of suspects and incriminating CCTV footage, but the man accused police of ending the investigation prematurely.
