Contemporary Anglophobia refers to opposition, dislike, or hostility directed towards England, its people, culture, or influence in the modern era. Some of the racist sentiment has historical roots and current discussions often centre on a belief in inherited guilt along with wild claims of global rape, looting and pillaging.
Claims of Acceptable Anti-English Bigotry
The claim that anti-English racism or bigotry is uniquely acceptable in some parts of the British Isles primarily stems from anecdotal evidence and specific data points from Scotland and Wales. Hate Crime Data: Data from Police Scotland in 2018-19 suggested that an estimated 6% of racially aggravated hate crimes recorded had an anti-English prejudice. Nationalist Movements: Commentators and some public figures argue that while anti-Welsh or anti-Scottish slurs are widely condemned, the use of terms like “Pom” (in Australia and New Zealand) or other pejorative language for the English is often dismissed as harmless banter. Anecdotal Experiences: English people living in other parts of the UK have reported experiencing discrimination, such as being told to “go back to England” in Scotland or receiving hateful notes in Wales. “Little Englander”, Brexiteer and “Gammon” are all coded expressions of Anglophobia, as is “Flag Shagging”. It’s only called flag shagging when it’s the English flag or the Union Jack. An aversion to the English flag and the Union Flag is associated with Anglophobic racism.
Current Discourse
Contemporary discussions often treat Anglophobia as a form of racism or prejudice that targets English identity or perceived Englishness. Some commentators argue that it has become an “acceptable form of bigotry” within certain political or media circles, where symbols of Englishness are sometimes stereotyped or vilified. The emotion is often seen as a learned response, perpetuated by media narratives, political agendas, or a focus on historical injustices rather than the actions of living individuals.
The idea that England and the English are treated with contempt by some “anglophobic elites” or that anti-English racism is an acceptable form of bigotry in parts of the British Isles is a recurring theme in contemporary political commentary and public discourse.
Arguments for the Existence of “Anglophobic Elites”
Proponents of this view, often conservative commentators or English nationalists, argue that certain cultural and political figures, or “elites,” display a casual disregard or even disdain for English identity, culture, and concerns e,g.
An example of this took place in 2014 when the Labour Shadow minister, Emily Thornberry, received criticism after tweeting a photograph as voting was taking place of a house in the constituency adorned with three flags of St. George and the owner’s white van parked outside on the driveway, under the caption “Image from #Rochester”. She later resigned. This would never have happened in Scotland.
During and after the 2016 referendum, commentators in elite media circles often portrayed English nationalism and flag-waving as xenophobic or backward. This reinforced perceptions that elites were hostile to overt English identity.
Displays of the St. George’s flag during the 2018 World Cup were mocked in some media outlets as symbols of “Little Englander” attitudes. Critics argued this showed contempt for ordinary English expressions of pride.
England fans were warned not to fly the St. George’s flag in Russia because it could be seen as “imperialistic” and “antagonistic”. (Evening Standard). Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: “It can come across as imperialistic and cause antagonism” (Campaign for an English Parliament).
This reinforced the idea that English symbols were treated as problematic compared to other national flags.
When Nike redesigned England’s football kit in 2024 with a stylised St. George’s cross, critics—including politicians and commentators—argued that elites were “messing with” national symbols. The Telegraph noted that even Thornberry joined in criticism, despite her earlier controversy, highlighting how English identity and symbols are often treated with contempt by elites.
Historian Peter Mandler argued that “Englishness… is not a true estimate of national character, but a construct developed by the dominant classes” (Cambridge University). Contemporary critiques frame Englishness as tied to colonialism, patriarchy, or xenophobia (Oxford Academic)
Key Areas of Contemporary Anglophobia
Within the United Kingdom:
Scotland: Anglophobia has been observed in some parts of Scotland, particularly within a minority of independence supporters. It often manifests as an “anti-Nationalist” sentiment being conflated with anti-Englishness, with some individuals reporting being told to “go back to England”. Political proxies like “Westminster parties” are sometimes used, potentially to avoid overt anti-English public relations issues.
Wales and Northern Ireland: Historically, anti-English sentiment has been linked to nationalist movements, such as the arson attacks on English-owned second homes in Wales in the late 20th century by the militant group Meibion Glyndŵr. In Northern Ireland, anti-British sentiment remains a feature of some Irish republican circles.
International Context:
Post-Colonial Nations (e.g., India): In former colonies, anglophobia is often rooted in the legacy of British imperial rule, including oppressive practices, economic exploitation, and key historical events like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This historical context contributes to a complex relationship with British culture and the English language today.
Iran: Anti-British sentiment has been described as “deeply entrenched in Iranian culture” and is often tied to historical British political interference, such as the 1953 coup d’état that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq.
Australia/New Zealand: The slang term “Pom” or “Pommy” is used for English immigrants, sometimes with a “whingeing” (complaining) stereotype. While generally considered slang rather than hate speech, some expressions like “Filthy Poms” in newspaper headlines have been subject to racial discrimination complaints.
United States: While largely absent from mainstream society today, historical anglophobia existed in populist and Irish-American movements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
