England’s World Cup campaign has brought a familiar sight back to the UK, with households and businesses dusting off St George’s flags and hanging them from windows, balconies and car windows as red-and-white bunting returns to the streets.
But for some fans, the usual display of support now comes with an uncomfortable edge. Months of backlash and fierce debate over flags in public have left some feeling pressured to take theirs down — despite the fact it isn’t necessarily required.
One man who probably won’t be taking it down is market trader Colin, who stood firm after being reported for his Union Jack flag last year.
In a viral TikTok video that garnered more than one million likes, Colin revealed he’d faced mounting pressure to take the flag down after a neighbour alerted the council.
He said: It’s what people do these days; they complain about everything.” Not one to bow to pressure, Colin decided to get petty payback on the person who lodged the complaint.
The 66-year-old purchased an enormous Union Jack and raised it on a towering flagpole for all to see. He said: “I took this flag down because someone didn’t like it. So I’ve only brought a bigger one, look.”
He jokingly cautioned: “So if they complain again, you know what I’m gonna do. I’ll get an even bigger one.”
Colin was widely praised for defying his neighbours, with one TikTok user writing: “Hoist that beautiful flag high. I salute the flag and you, sir”.
Another said: “You should be allowed to fly this country’s flag, good on you mate.” And a third added: “I’m going to complain that the flag pole isn’t tall enough, you need to get a taller flagpole for the bigger Union Jack flag, so people further away can see it and appreciate it.”
With the FIFA 2026 World Cup rapidly approaching, it’s commonplace to see people backing their team by displaying the national flag. But if supporters get carried away with their shows of patriotism, they could face penalties of up to £2,500.
Flags must meet certain criteria to be flown legally. If fixed to the roof, flags of any size can be displayed without risking fines – as long as they are maintained safely and kept in good condition.
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The Town and Country Planning Regulations (2007) have separate rules on the maximum size of flags flying from your property if they’re positioned anywhere other than the roof, such as a window. This crucial distinction in the regulations is what typically gets homeowners into trouble.
Even if it’s on a flagpole, and regardless of which country it represents, the flag cannot exceed two metres. Under the rules, if you reject a local council’s demand to remove a flag, you can receive hefty pentalties.
For more information, read our full explainer piece here.