The Struggle for the Scottish Flag: Analyzing Why the Right Has Embraced the Saltire

Something has shifted in Scotland.

St. Andrew's Cross, historically adopted by supporters of Scottish independence, has now been unfurled for a different cause.

Throughout the nation, the blue and white of Saint Andrew is waving from streetlights and being waved alongside the union flag at rallies opposing migration.

Previously those two flags were more often seen on different sides of the discussion regarding Scotland's future.

Presently the showing of the Scottish flag is sparking disagreement of its own at protests from across Scottish cities and from Glasgow to Falkirk.

Clashing Patriotisms

This conflict for Scotland's flag is additionally a battle about what it represents to be a patriot in today's Scotland - a battle of competing nationalisms.

Key Figures

Steven Rennie is one of the prominent figures in these current demonstrations.

He combines opposition to independence and migration with sharp criticism of the Scottish National Party.

They seized the saltire as their own and for many years we've let them to employ it as a weapon of division and hate.

Counter-Protests

The crowd - kept apart from hundreds of counter-protesters by a barrier of law enforcement - applauded the criticism of the SNP.

The nationalists have created chaos on our nation, dismantling our prosperity and our potential at every turn.

Border Control Debates

Migration is a persistent problem for the current Prime Minister and seems to be increasing up the agenda ahead of the Scottish parliamentary elections.

The channel crossing issue and the accommodation of asylum seekers in temporary accommodation have fuelled demonstrations around the Britain.

Local Perspectives

A demonstrator, who gave his name as Mark, held a Union Jack showing "Stop the Boats".

He claimed authorities should be addressing ailing public services, not spending taxpayers' money on medical and dental care for asylum seekers.

Opposing Views

Near the accommodation a group of counter-protesters, including numerous union members, had collected.

They also were disapproving of the PM – but for different reasons.

Economic Concerns

The two camps appear to share a sense of disgust about Britain's struggling economy and the bad condition of government services.

The true concern in contemporary Britain is the elected officials who aren't tackling these issues head on.

Housing Crisis

A frequent grievance among protesters is about the quantity of immigrants being housed at local authority expense.

The situation is most acute in Glasgow, which has the Britain's largest quantity of asylum seekers in public housing.

Symbolic Meaning

An asylum seeker, a refugee who lives in Glasgow's north side, feels the St. Andrew's Cross generally signifies peace, harmony and inclusion.

However he claims it is currently being displayed "for the far-right and discrimination".

Public Effect

Debates about flags are not only occurring in major Scottish urban centers and industrial communities.

In the wealthy Renfrewshire town of the Weir Bridge area, the raising of Scottish flags has led to a row on the local Facebook group.

Government Consequences

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney said discussions regarding border control were being "fanned by a larger conversation" going on in the Britain and internationally.

I believe in a Scottish society that is accepting, hospitable and embracing.

Voting Possibilities

Polls ahead of the Holyrood vote indicate a big lead for the Scottish National Party.

Regardless of which flags are displayed by whatever political group in the campaign, migration seems probable to claim its role alongside the budget and community services as a significant topic.