Labour minister Sarah Sackman demands 'unsettling' Union flags are taken down in her constituency

By OLIVIA DAY, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA Published: 14:51, 29 July 2026 | Updated: 14:53, 29 July 2026 Labour minister Sarah Sackman has called for 'intimidating' Union Jack flags to be pulled down in her north London constituency.  Ms Sackman, the justice minister, was elected the member for Finchley and Golders Green at the 2024 general election after defeating Conservative MP Mike Freer.  She called on Barnet Council to remove 'divisive' Union flags from public lamp posts in a piece for the Barnet Post last week.  'I have been proud to fly our flag in my government office when cheering on England in the World Cup and during King Charles's recent visit to Golders Green,' she wrote.  'During times of national celebration or mourning, our flag represents exactly what it should: pride in being British. A Britishness which is inclusive and welcoming, not exclusive and hostile. 'Those who live and spend time in Temple Fortune and Golders Green will know that St George's and Union Jacks were hoisted on public lamp posts, without permission, long before the World Cup. It is now time for them to come down.' Ms Sackman said 'many' members of her community say the flags are a source of division and intimidation rather than a symbol of national pride.   'I have heard from many residents concerned about the presence of these flags. Messages I've received describe them as unsettling, intimidating and othering. That is not something any of us can ignore,' she continued.  Labour minister Sarah Sackman (pictured) has called for 'intimidating' Union Jack flags be pulled down in her north London constituency St George's Cross flags at the Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, south-east London, in June 'In a community as diverse and inclusive as ours no member of this community should be made to feel unwelcome.' Last summer, 'Operation Raise the Colours' campaign saw patriotic activists put up St George's Cross flags on lampposts and paint them on roundabouts. More British flags appeared as the 2026 World Cup kicked off in June, sparking criticism that their presence could intimidate migrants. Local authorities including Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Shropshire urged residents not to attach flags to lampposts or signs without permission.  Ms Sackman described Operation Raise the Colours as a 'far-right group' that had 'led a racist and aggressive campaign' on high streets across Britain.  She claimed that when council workers began to take flags down in her constituency, 'they were confronted by abuse'.  'People are entitled to fly whatever flags they wish on their own property, but our public places must belong to all,' she continued.   'Now that the World Cup is over, I am calling on Barnet Council to hand our streets back to the tolerant and inclusive majority of the community by removing the flags.' Ms Sackman (pictured right beside Keir Starmer) claimed that when council workers began to take Union Jack flags down in her constituency, 'they were confronted by abuse' The justice minister has called on Barnet Council to remove 'divisive' Union flags from public lamp posts in a piece for the Barnet Post last week (stock image) Ms Sackman's comments drew a mixed response on social media, with some backing her calls to remove Union flags from public property.  'I have written three times to Barnet councillors asking for the flags to come down as they are signalling separation and racism to this very diverse population in Barnet who work in it and do so much for the borough,' one woman wrote.  However, others insisted the flags should 'fly high'.  'What has the Union Flag got to do with the World Cup? Britain didn't play in the World Cup, England did!' one man wrote.  'I fail to see how displaying the national flag of a country in which you have chosen to live is divisive in any way,' a second said.  Shadow home secretary Chris Philp previously told the Daily Mail that council warnings not to fly the flags during the World Cup was 'outrageous'.  'Patriotic British citizens should be allowed to display national flags, whether the St George's Cross, Saltire or Union Jack - at times like these,' he said.  Barnet Council told the Daily Mail: 'The council celebrates with pride our nation's flag, flying the Union flag outside the council's offices in Colindale and above Hendon Town Hall every day. 'However, the council does not fly flags from its lampposts because they are not designed to hold them safely.  While the council's policy has always been to remove flags from council property where there are safety concerns, the council will not direct scarce public resources towards removing Union or English flags from lamp posts unless required to do so for health and safety reasons.  'Where removal is necessary, it will be undertaken at a time that represents value for money, such as alongside routine lamp post maintenance. 'There is also a safety concern for individuals climbing lampposts to display flags, and we must ensure road markings remain clear and visible for all road users, particularly those with visual impairments.' The Daily Mail has contacted Ms Sackman for further comment.