MEP disappointed with whimpish response from Speaker on Union Flag
11 June 2008
Following the publication of the "Goverance of Britain" White Paper, which reinstates the policy of year-round flying of the union Flag on government buildings in GB, Traditional Unionist Leader, Jim Allister MEP, wrote to the Speaker of the NI Assembly, William Hay MLA, urging him to establish parity throughout the Kingdom by flying the Union Flag every day at Stormont.
Parliament Buildings is exempt from the Flags (NI) Order 2000 which restricts flag-flying on government buildings to specified days. At the time establishing parity with GB was used as the excuse for this legislation. Now that parity favours year-round flying Mr Allister called on the Speaker to assert the autonomous right of Parliament Buildings to follow the GB example.
Speaker Hay has replied negatively, saying he has no plans to review the present position. Commenting Jim Allister said, "The Goverance of Britain White Paper gave Stormont the perfect opportunity to re-establish the practice of flying the Union Flag every day. I am disappointed, but not surprised, that Speaker Hay has run away from the issue. I have no doubt this is part of the "don't upset the Shinners" strategy. William Hay's reply is a patent nonsense. He says "the Assembly operates to existing government policy in relation to the flying of flags". Well, government policy has changed, so why is he not following it? Alas, placating Sinn Fein comes before due respect for our national flag."
