As to how the Union Flag is viewed in Britain - well of course that depends on what part of Britain you are in. The Union Flag itself has less BNP or NF connotations in Scotland. Here some view it, along with the Red Hand Of Ulster and the Irish Tricolour, more as a sectarian symbol. There have been those who have demanded that all these flags are banned at football matches etc. Of course I think that is more of a Scottish and Irish thing. Would anyone wearing a Union Flag to a sporting event in let's say Leeds be mistaken for being anti-Catholic? Of course the idea that everyone displaying a Union Flag in Scotland is sectarian is absurd. The vast majority won't be but it does carry that stigma somewhat. Symbols mean different things in different places. You also see Confederate Flags displayed around here though I don't think I've ever seen them used other than folks wanting to show they like American music etc. I also think the Scots, and the British in general, have a soft spot for the defeated. Hence it would maybe be much more glamorous to be a Jacobite than a Hanovarian; or a Confederate than a Union soldier. Rightly or wrongly I don't think many British who have a Confederate Flag would think on the actual politics or issues themselves. Plus I think some Scots maybe identify with the Confederate Flag simply because it looks like the Scottish Saltire.