The Battle for the Scottish Flag: Analyzing Why the Right-Wing Has Embraced the St. Andrew's Cross

Something has shifted in Scotland.

The saltire, which was long embraced by independence advocates, has currently been waved for a separate purpose.

Across the country, the azure and white of St Andrew is waving from streetlights and being displayed with the union flag at rallies opposing migration.

Until recently those two standards were usually spotted on different sides of the debate about Scotland's future.

Presently the showing of the Scottish flag is causing debate of its own at protests from Aberdeen to Perth and from Falkirk to Glasgow.

Clashing Patriotisms

This struggle for the saltire is furthermore a struggle concerning what it means to be a loyal citizen in today's Scotland - a struggle among opposing patriotisms.

Leading Personalities

A leading figure is a central personality in these recent protests.

He mixes opposition to independence and migration with sharp criticism of the SNP.

They appropriated the saltire as their symbol and for over a decade we've permitted them to wield it as a weapon of division and hostility.

Counter-Protests

The gathering - kept apart from many alternative rally participants by a cordoning of police - applauded the criticism of the SNP.

The nationalists have created chaos on Scotland, dismantling our prosperity and our potential at each opportunity.

Immigration Issues

Immigration is an ongoing issue for Labour Prime Minister and looks to be growing up the agenda ahead of the Scottish government elections.

The channel crossing issue and the housing of refugees in emergency housing have fuelled demonstrations around the UK.

Regional Opinions

A demonstrator, who identified himself as Mark, held a British flag showing "End Channel Crossings".

He said government should be repairing failing government services, not using public funds on medical and dental care for asylum seekers.

Opposing Views

At the temporary housing a gathering of alternative activists, including many trade unionists, had collected.

They too were critical of the government leader – but for different reasons.

Financial Worries

Both sides seem to have a attitude of disapproval about Britain's struggling economy and the poor state of community resources.

The actual problem in our society is the elected officials who aren't tackling these problems squarely.

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 the western city, which has the the nation's biggest amount of asylum seekers in public housing.

Emblematic Importance

Shawn, a refugee who lives in north Glasgow, believes the St. Andrew's Cross generally signifies tranquility, unity and acceptance.

However he claims it is now being flown "for extremist elements and racism".

Public Effect

Debates about flags are not simply happening in large Scottish municipalities and blue-collar areas.

In the prosperous Renfrewshire village of the Bridge community, the raising of Scottish flags has created conflict on the neighborhood online forum.

Government Consequences

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney said discussions regarding border control were being "fueled by a wider debate" going on in the United Kingdom and worldwide.

I support a Scottish community that is open-minded, receptive and comprehensive.

Election Prospects

Surveys preceding May's Holyrood election indicate a big lead for the nationalists.

Whatever flags are waved by whichever party in the political race, migration appears likely to take its place alongside the financial system and government resources as a big issue.