Geraldine Coggins, the Green Party candidate for Greater Manchester mayor, declined to clearly state whether she would display the England flag during the upcoming World Cup match against Argentina. Speaking on Times Radio, Coggins confirmed she planned to watch part of the game and expressed support for the England team but stopped short of saying she would wave the national flag.

Coggins, a Trafford councillor and former academic, is contesting the mayoral election scheduled for July 30, following Andy Burnham’s resignation to stand in the Makerfield by-election.

The issue of England flags has become a point of local contention, with several councils facing criticism over their handling of public flag displays during the tournament. In Bristol, where the council is led by the Greens, residents were advised against flying the England flag, with officials citing concerns about it being potentially unwelcoming and posing fire hazards. Similarly, in Portsmouth, a man employed by the council was filmed attempting to remove a St George’s flag from a balcony, after which a colleague reportedly cut the flag down with a knife. The footage was shared on social media by George Madgwick, Reform UK’s Hampshire leader, who described the incident as “shocking.”

This cautious or negative attitude toward public displays of the England flag contrasts with the national government’s approach, which has actively embraced the St George’s flag during the World Cup. Flags have been prominently displayed at Downing Street, signaling official support for the team and the tournament.

The differing responses highlight a broader debate over nationalism, public expression, and community cohesion amid the global sporting event. Coggins’s reluctance to endorse flag-waving reflects the sensitivities surrounding the symbol in certain local contexts, even as the national government and supporters maintain a more traditional embrace of England’s football heritage.