Online trend reimagines England flag with 'woke Palestine motif'

X users are editing England flags to display alternative and left-wing messaging, subverting the far right's attempt to monopolise the flag.

The trending edited flags used the four segments of the England flag to display motifs such as Green Party leader Zack Polanski and pride flags, alongside football club badges.

Many flags also referenced the flag of Palestine, using wordplay to subvert pro-Palestinian slogans. One poster used the phrase "From the river to Rodri," a reference to the Manchester City midfielder.

Nowhere near enough city representation in the woke flags #MoonbeamIsAntifa pic.twitter.com/ytgq8TvF03

— Alex (@alexdoesbits) October 23, 2025

Most of the flags reference drug use, perhaps linking the Green Party's drug decriminalisation policy with a stereotype of drug use among football hooligans.

Loving the woke flags lol pic.twitter.com/dOpvkMEYxX

— Streetsteacha (@streetsteacha) October 23, 2025

This trend comes after a series of far-right protests across the UK that used the England flag used to mobilize English nationalist sentiment but also to intimidate immigrants. The flag was displayed prominently at anti-asylum protests held this summer.

It's not the first time England flags have been rebranded with alternative messaging. Last year, England shirt sponsor Nike angered some fans by featuring a "playful twist" on the St George's cross on the men's Euro 2024 squad's collar.

The usually-red cross featured shades of blue and purple alongside the classic hue, which then-Conservative MP Lee Anderson called "namby-pamby, pearl-clutching, hand-wringing nonsense."

Now though, left-wing football fans are reclaiming woke flags and proudly mixing their political views with their favourite clubs.

The trend has even been adopted by the Green Party, which shared its own flag on X. 

Game's back.https://t.co/N7IGRtbLK6 pic.twitter.com/TpXQsCAVLI

— The Green Party (@TheGreenParty) October 24, 2025

The alternative flag trend comes after a recent YouGov opinion poll, which put the Greens at a record 15%, making them level with Labour.