Birmingham's Liberal Democrats have called for "urgent action" following tense confrontations in Stirchley involving the group Raise the Colours. The group has been widely condemned by city politicians after social media videos appeared to show heated exchanges between their members and local residents. Police were called to the scene amid the friction.
Raise the Colours Activities
Raise the Colours (RTC) is known for erecting Union Jack flags across Birmingham and has been active in Stirchley on multiple occasions. Members often film arguments with locals and post the clips online. The group claims its actions are patriotic, but critics argue they are politically motivated and seek to stir division.
Political Condemnation
Al Carns, MP for Birmingham Selly Oak and a former Royal Marines officer, condemned RTC, stating he was "seriously concerned by reports of intimidation and violence in Stirchley." He wrote on X: "The Union Jack is a symbol of unity, not division, of patriotism, not polarisation. I condemn all attempts to hijack our flag and sew violence in our communities for political gain."
Lib Dem leader Councillor Roger Harmer echoed this sentiment, accusing RTC of using the national flag to "create division." He said: "We need to stand up against those who seek to divide us, whether for political gain or social media clicks. I love our national flag, and it is vital we ensure it remains a symbol of unity rather than being used as a tool for creating division in our society. It is time for urgent action by the council and police to stop escalating public disorder."
Possible Council Actions
The Liberal Democrats suggested that councils have options to take action, including recovering costs incurred from removing flags from those who put them up. Raise the Colours has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded. On its website, the group states its flags are "not about division" but promote a message of "unity" and that it is committed to "lawful civic activism," adding: "We do not encourage vigilante behaviour or unauthorised action of any kind."
Council Response
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the incident in Stirchley and that police were called. We are continuing to monitor locations across the city where community concerns are reported and are aware of increased tensions in some areas. We are working closely with West Midlands Police, supporting their enquiries and any follow-up action. Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of residents, staff, contractors and the wider community. We encourage all residents to act responsibly and respectfully to help maintain calm, reduce the risk of intimidation, and support community cohesion."
The spokesperson added: "Birmingham is a proud and welcoming city, and we recognise the importance of national flags to many residents. The Union Flag flies outside the Council House every day, reflecting both national pride and the diverse communities that make this city what it is."
