SIR Keir Starmer today slams populists who “exploit” the England flag to stir up violence, division and threats to our democracy.
The PM says Britain is “at a crossroads” and must reject the road of “division and decline” and choose the “patriotic path of national renewal”.
GettyUK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has launched his most forthright defence of his vision for an inclusive, proud and patriotic Britain[/caption]
Writing for The Sun on Sunday, he said he understands the anger that led to over 100,000 Brits marching in the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ demo last week.
But he slammed Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson for trying to exploit that anger to stoke violence, race hate and division on Britain’s streets.
He writes: “I know what a source of pride our flag can be, and what it means to people.
“Which makes it all the more shameful when people exploit that symbol to stoke anger and division.
“I know people feel angry that the country they love doesn’t seem to work for them…but a small minority see instead an opportunity to whip up hatred.”
Over 100,000 Brits – many carrying union flags or St George’s flags – attended last week’s march in London, which had been praised by Tommy Robinson.
Musk addressed the demo via videolink and told the crowds: “Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you. You either fight back or you die.”
Attacking Musk and Robinson, the PM says: “When populist politicians, convicted criminals, and foreign billionaires take to the stage to encourage violence, make racist comments, and threaten our democracy, it casts a dark shadow of fear and violence across our society.
“They want to drag our country down into a toxic spiral of division and hatred because it’s good for them.
“But their vile lies are not good for the country.”
AlamyBrits have taken to putting flags up on lampposts all over the country[/caption]
He goes on: “This is a struggle for the heart and soul of our nation.
“But it’s not between ordinary people who simply want a better life for their families.
“It’s between patriots who care about our country, and populists who only care about themselves.”
His blistering intervention is his starkest attack yet on populism and will spark a bitter row with the world’s second richest man.
Thousands of Brits have taken to raising the union flag and the St George’s flag on lamp posts in their local communities in recent months.
This “flagging” is an outpouring of patriotism and anger at the illegal immigration crisis.
The Sun on Sunday understands the PM will say more on what his vision for a patriotic Britain looks like later this week.
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