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Patriotism: Whose flag is it anyway?
Care about independent and ethical news? Support Media Storm on Patreon!Since August 2025, thousands of St George's Crosses and Union flags have appeared on lampposts, roundabouts and motorway bridges across Britain. The far-right movement dubbed "Operation Raise the Colours" was sold as a patriotic outpouring. But the reality for migrants and ethnic minorities was vastly different. Racist riots are in their third summer. And now the far-right claim to be marching "under God".
So what is patriotism for? Can you love your country without envisioning an enemy? When does pride become prejudice? And if the far-right uses the flag to recruit lonely, left-behind young men, should the rest of us fight to take it back?
This week, Mathilda & Helena are joined by two guests. Firstly, Imam Adam Kelwick, who was filmed in 2024 talking with and embracing far-right protestors outside his mosque. His words at the time, "they just want to be heard", travelled around the world. And secondly, we are joined by the National Organiser of Black Lives Matter UK, Kojo Kyerewaa.
We also revisit firsthand testimonies from Media Storm's 2023 investigation into Far-Right radicalisation, with reformed neo-Nazi recruiter Nigel Bromage and EDL co-founder (and uncle of Tommy Robinson) Darren Carroll.
This episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia)
It was edited by Christy Callaway-Gale
The music is by @soundofsamfire
Follow us @mediastormpod
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