07/03/07
By David Pilditch
By David Pilditch
A proposed new law that could see the UK’s Union Flag replaced by the EU banner was bitterly condemned yesterday.
Angry MPs and campaigners said the plan is the latest stealth attack on our treasured national emblem.
The row erupted after it was revealed that a bill going through Parliament proposes giving the EU banner the same status as the Union Flag.
If the legislation succeeds it will effectively mean the European Union flag – a circle of 12 yellow stars on a blue background – being designated a national symbol.
Plans to raise the profile of the unpopular European flag were first proposed by John Prescott. The Deputy Prime Minister wanted to introduce a new law after council buildings across the country were forced to take down the banner.
Opponents of the EU had pointed out that public buildings need planning permission to fly the EU flag because under current rules it is technically classified as an advertisement.
Only national flags including the Cross of St George, the Scottish Saltire and the Union Flag do not need planning permission.
Now campaigners – who insist the Government is “hell-bent” on surrendering to Brussels – say the unpopular plan is being pushed through by the back door.
Neil Herron, of the anti-Europe group Speakout, said: “Our campaign successfully forced the removal of the EU flag from a number of public buildings across the country.
“Now it appears the Government is attempting to introduce legislation through the back door. This is the thin end of the wedge. If it succeeds our Union Flag will be under threat.”
The move to raise the status of the European flag comes in proposed legislation aimed at raising public awareness of EU institutions.
But the European Union (Information) Bill includes a clause that would allow the European flag to be flown from public buildings.
The private member’s bill – backed by Labour peers – has been through two readings unopposed and last week reached the committee stage.
Tory MP Philip Davies said: “This is the latest in a long line of attempts to try to make us feel European by stealth.
“If this is part of some grand plan to make everyone feel European, I think it’s a pretty disreputable idea.”
The plan emerged as concerns were raised over moves by Brussels bureaucrats to force Britain’s merchant navy fleet to fly the European flag instead of the historic Red Ensign.
Shadow Transport Minister Julian Brazier warned in the Commons yesterday that plans for an EU coastguard agency could eventually lead to “the first nail in the coffin of the Red Ensign”.
But a spokesman for the Department for Transport said Mr Brazier’s claim had “no foundation whatsoever”.
5 comments:
If John Prescott wants to move further into Europe, then perhaps the fat b***** should move to France!
After all that would mean less cars on our roads (at least three of them) and less of a burden on the English tax payer.
The sooner this pathetic excuse for a government is replaced and we get an ENGLISH government that looks after the interests of ENGLAND the better (and in case anyone wonders,…………. I think Gordon Brown should bugger off back to Scotland and Neil Kinnock should be deported back to Wales as well!)
The Cross of St. George flag will fly from atop a flag pole in my front Garden until I die. I will beg my children and grand children to carry on the tradition. We stopped the Swastika from flying in England, we will stop the Ring of Shite in the same way.
Patrick Harris, Portsmouth. England.
and where would we be without rules FRANCE where would we be with too many rules GERMANY scotland has st andrews day bank holiday ireland has st patricks day holiday and wales has st davids what do england have sod all.
yet again there is no doubt this country is becoming a minority, kids are being stopped at school from giving christmas cards due to the fact it MAY upset other religious groups. why not go the whole hog ban all religion ban anything to do with england and make it multi cultural. it all started when we were stopped from flying st georges cross during the world cup for fear of upsetting others this country is going to the dogs all thanks to this government.people fought in world war two so the germans would not invade this country if it wasnt for them we would be under german rule already......oh hang on WE ARE NOW!!
Patrick Dennis Scunthorpe
My first thoughts were of absolute horror, but when I thought about it, there is no way this will happen in my lifetime.
There would be so much ctritism of this, that elections would be lost. There is no way the press would support this mov either. It would be a political disaster that no politition (except John prescott) would endure or survive for that matter.
Just let him try it!!
Mark
AA Breakdown Cover
How easily fickle man doth embrace
That flag with twelve stars on blue,
To dislodge a flag that over time
Won the loyalty of those that knew
The brave that fought and paid the price
To keep their flag flying high.
That flag of St George for England
And those that survived know why.
To prevent a tyrant who would rule the world
And his swastika from flying above,
No two flags can have pride of place
For it is only their own flag they love.
Yet another flag now wants pride of place
In our hearts as well as minds,
But will it become a symbol of hate
If forced, and in the fullness of time?
Loyalty and allegiance comes with national flags,
Those too play an important part,
We cannot shed either so easily,
One flag will have to depart.
Is there a choice, a chance to decide
Twixt Country, or the State of EU?
For WE will never embrace that flag
What YOU do, is up to you.
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