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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsDomestic PolicyStarted 10yrs agoActive 1 day ago

Should it be illegal to burn our national flag?

Should it be illegal to burn the UK flag?

Flag desecration is any act that is carried out with the intention of damaging or destroying a national flag in public. This is commonly done in an effort to make a political statement against a nation or its policies. Some nations have acts that ban flag desecration while others have laws that protect the right to destroy a flag as a part of free speech. Some of these laws distinguish between a national flag and those of other countries.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 128k UK voters.

36%
Yes
64%
No
32%
Yes
48%
No
4%
Yes, and it should be illegal to burn any nation’s flag
8%
No, I don’t respect anyone who does but they should have the right to do so
5%
No, this is a violation of free speech
4%
No, it’s just a piece of cloth that doesn’t represent what it should

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 128k UK voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 128k UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @B93C5NFanswered…6mos6MO

Depends on the context, if it is done in a very clear terroristic intent, then it should be banned, otherwise no. It should be on a case-by-case basis. Desecrating the flag of the country you are in could be an action inspired by anything from being unintentional, from having simple and non-extremist symbolic messaging or something along the lines of supporting ideals around targeted terroristic intent.

 @9PQ3HHLanswered…2yrs2Y

No, but we should investigate those who do burn it to determine whether or not they have any criminal intent.

 @BDX9YY4from Maryland  answered…3wks3W

Not for citizens, yes for aliens

 @BD42YRKanswered…2mos2MO

No, it represents imperialism, ethnic cleansing genocide, racism and death.

 @B7TQNWLanswered…8mos8MO

No, all flags should be allowed to be burned but such desacration must be backed up through intellectual discourse.

 @B6SX45Xanswered…10mos10MO

No as it is a violation of free speech and they should have the right to do so even if I disagree with the action

 @B6M4SFRanswered…10mos10MO

Neutral, I don't agree with the act but its within their rights to do so. It should be discouraged when it comes to anti-UK motives though.

 @B6J6GTYanswered…11mos11MO

If it is part of an extremist public display then yes but if you're to burn a flag in your house then it's up to you.

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 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…6yrs6Y

Should critical race theory be taught in K-12 education?

No

▲  19.8k6 replies4 agree1 disagree

About This Data

Based on 128k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

iSideWith is non-partisan — we don't advocate for any party, candidate, or position. We report what the public tells us.

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Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should it be illegal to burn our national flag?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/polls/2924496367

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