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27
Aug
Tommy Robinson flag video share sparks heated debate in Ripon
Ripon has found itself at the centre of a national row about patriotism and racism after far-right activist Tommy Robinson shared a video on his X account.
The video shows three women pulling down and stamping on a flag of St George at a roundabout on the bypass.
The footage, which is believed to have been filmed near the Dallamires Lane junction, was shared by the former British National Party member with his 1.4 million followers.
It has also been posted on various local social media blogs.
The flag was one of four attached to lampposts on the bypass over the Bank Holiday weekend. All had been removed yesterday (August 26).
Flags of St George were attached to lampposts on Ripon bypass
Ripon a 'test case for racist activity'?
Their placement coincided with a campaign known as Operation Raise the Colours, which has seen Union Jacks and the cross of St George appear on lampposts up and down the UK in recent days.
The video has sparked a highly charged online debate that has seen calls for the women to be charged with a criminal offence, and comments such as: "Obviously no respect for their grandparents who fought and died for their country."
Ripon resident and environmental campaigner Brian McHugh commented:
It is odd, that instead of being shared with police, this video was first shared to a niche right wing profile on X, which then tagged the far-right agitator Tommy Robinson/ Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, who shared it to his 1.4 million followers.
As part of the bigger picture, this Operation Raise the Colours, has been backed by the far-right group Britain First and we should be aware of their involvement and always stand up against this ideology.
It really feels that, in recent months, Ripon has been targeted to be a test case for racist activity and we have to decide how we are going to respond to this rise of a far right political narrative.
David Ingham, who lives in Ripon and is a member of the executive of the Skipton and Ripon Constituency Labour Party, told the Stray Ferret:
The sudden obsession with plastering Union Jacks and Saint George’s flags everywhere has nothing to do with genuine pride in our country.
It is a deliberate strategy to intimidate refugees and migrants and to make ordinary people associate our national symbols with the toxic legacy of the National Front, the BNP, and figures like Tommy Robinson
We are seeing a disturbing rise in far-right activity across parts of the country, including Yorkshire, from protests outside hotels in Rotherham and Wakefield, to flag-waving demonstrations in towns across West Yorkshire.
Let’s be absolutely clear: these are not small gatherings of “concerned local families.” They are organised, well-funded operations driven by extremist groups, designed to stir up division and give confidence to racists and fascists.
Ripon Town Hall, decked in red, white and blue flies the Union Jack
'People have lost national pride'
Simon Garvey, who stood for Reform UK in Skipton and Ripon at the 2024 general election, refuted claims that flying flags is being used to intimidate ethnic minorities.
Speaking about the incident in Ripon, he said:
It’s very worrying that people have lost national pride.
Society is very divided at the moment and a pride in our nation can bring people together.
Reform is doing its best to make this happen.
Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams criticised both the stamping on the flag and the placement of flags on bypass lampposts.
He said:
I condemn any disrespect shown to our national flag and I also condemn the actions of people who put up the flags on the bypass without seeking permission, because they could have come loose, creating a hazard for drivers
Cllr Williams added:
Ripon is rightly proud and patriotic, that is why the Union Jack flies on the town hall, which is currently decorated in red, white and blue and surrounded by designs created by the city's Community Poppy Project, to celebrate both VE Day and VJ Day.
The flags do not belong to the right wing, but to all of us and we as a council are determined to ensure that Ripon remains a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Long may it be so.
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