Narrative #1: The government is suppressing patriotism

Original publisher’s rating

This clearly AI-generated TikTok videoespouses the idea that flags are taken down because "the immigrants are uncomfortable" with them. It reproduces common right-wing talking points regarding the state being 'woke,' overly influenced by ideas of social justice and prioritizing immigrants. In this post on X, we see a group of demonstrators, guided by police, waving Union Jack and St George's flags. The post claims: "British citizens proudly raise their flag in protest of the illegitimate government's attempt to suppress patriotism. Raise the colours!" The march in Manchester, which was organized by the extreme-right Britain First party and which saw participants marching behind a banner reading "remigration," a far-right concept which proposes the deportation of non-white immigrants and even citizens, was clearly not "suppressed." On the contrary, the video clearly shows that it was permitted, facilitated, and secured by the police. The current British government was elected in July 2024, when the Labour Party won 33.7% of the vote and emerged as the largest party in parliament. The UK ranks 17th out of 167 in the Economist's Democracy Index and is considered a "full democracy."

Reviewed by Deutsche Welle ↗ · September 16, 2025