TUV proposes a Way Forward on Flags Issue
17 December 2012
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:
“Having spoken at several of the peaceful flag protests, and spoken to hundreds of protestors in the process, it is clear to me that while the shameful removal of the Union flag from Belfast City Hall was the catalyst for the onset of these protests, there are deep seated and related issues of grievance arising from the diet of concessions to Sinn Fein which characterises Stormont rule. The disconnect with the Stormont regime is palpable.
“Many of these issues, frankly, require a change in voting pattern, in that you get what you vote for and if unionists vote to empower Sinn Fein through supporting their enablers, the DUP and UUP, then what has happened should not be a surprise. It is TUV’s long-term goal to provide an alternative approach, based on introducing the basic democratic credentials of the right to vote a party out of office and the right to have an Opposition.
“However, as a discrete issue I believe the flag controversy is capable of resolution. It will require co-operation from both local politicians and the Secretary of State.
“It seems to me there are at least three dimensions requiring to be addressed, not singularly, but collectively. These are a) the failure by 11 Councils to ever fly the flag; b) the inadequacy of the ‘designated days’; and c) the glaring deficit in the flying of our national flag from the seat of government, Stormont.
“These issues could be addressed in part by amendment to the Flags Regulations to require the flag to be flown from all civic buildings, rather than just government buildings, on a minimum number of days – leaving each Council the discretion to fly it every day, if it wishes, but requiring all to fly it on specified days. This would help address the alienation of unionists in republican controlled councils and give unionists, for example in Belfast, the opportunity to restore the flag on City Hall 365 days per year through organising for elections and voting, although the new foolish RPA boundary for Belfast won’t help. Secondly, the designated days must be widened to include obvious and significant dates like 1st July, 12th July and Ulster Day, 28th September, and such other days as are deemed appropriate. It is ludicrous that we include St Patricks Day and Europe Day, but not Ulster Day or the Somme anniversary. Thirdly, Stormont must make its contribution to solving the present impasse by recognising mere designated days is not enough for the seat of government and by moving, at least, to every plenary sitting day as well as designated days, though my clear preference would be 365 day flying of the flag.
“The erection of the flag 365 days at the City Hall Cenotaph is a further essential component.
“We are part of the United Kingdom. The Union flag is the national flag. It requires its place on our public buildings and, in particular on Parliament Buildings.
“Unionist political consensus and commitment around such proposals is a pre-requisite, I believe, to the success of any call for suspension of the protests, in that, a window of say 4-6 weeks for politicians to lobby and report back on progress then has a reasoned basis.
“I have conveyed these proposals to other unionist leaders. I believe they represent a reasoned and measured solution, which, if acted upon, could bring substantial progress.”
