Thousands of classical music lovers may find themselves plunged into a battle of the flags at the Last Night of the Proms.
Two parallel campaigns to equip patriotic punters with the colours of the United Kingdom and the EU are set to come to a head at the 5,000-capacity Royal Albert Hall.
Prominent Leave campaigner and millionaire Arron Banks has promised to hand out 10,000 Union flags, at a cost of £5,000 from his own pocket, at the event – in response to an online drive by anti-Brexit campaigners to arm audience members with the ensign on the EU.
Banks told the Telegraph he wanted Prommers to “wave the union flag with pride and throw away the star spangled banner of oppression by casting aside the illegitimate EU flag”.
He added: “It is a British event and nothing to do with the EU – this is a pathetic attempt by the desperate ‘Remoaners’ to hijack a celebration of Britain.”
Earlier this week the Musicians’ Union backed the online call for a show of support for the EU to replace the traditional patriotic flag waving at the classical music event, which is watched by millions around the world.
In a statement, the union’s general secretary John Smith said they hoped it would “demonstrate solidarity with our European neighbours and remind government of the need to consider issues affecting musicians in the upcoming Brexit negotiations”.
The Last Night of the Proms is consistently the most popular concert in the summer programme of BBC Proms events.
It includes well recognisable performances of Rule, Brittania and Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance.
A spokesman for the BBC said: “Flags are a traditional part of the Last Night of the Proms and audience members are not prevented from bringing them into the Hall.”
Britons may be forced to apply for visas and pay a fee before travelling to Europe if EU plans go ahead, it has been reported.
European Commission officials are said to be drawing up proposals aimed at tightening security in the bloc’s borderless Schengen zone, of which the UK is not a part.
According to the Guardian, this may include the introduction of a visa programme similar to the US waiver for all countries not signed up to the Schengen agreement.
Currently British passport holders can travel in member states without having to apply for visas, but the issue is likely to feature in Brexit negotiations once Article 50 has been triggered.
The possible scheme is said to feature in draft legislation for the EU travel information and authorisation system (Etias) – which is set to be unveiled later this year, the Guardian said.
It may mean Britons will have to apply online 72 hours in advance of travelling and pay a fee of £10.
EU law expert Camino Mortera-Martinez, from the Centre for European Reform, told the Guardian: “In theory UK citizens, as third-country nationals, would certainly be subject to the obligations [of such a scheme].”
“This will have to be part of the Brexit talks. It will all have to be negotiated.”