Here's how to haul down those EU flags

The Mail on Sunday
Harry Blackwood
October 2, 2005

Here's how to haul down those EU flags

Although I've not been round to check, I'm told many town halls and civic centres across the North East are keen to promote European unity by flying the EU flag on their flag poles.

All very politically correct and New Labour. However, if you see the blue flag flying, you may to take a leaf out of Jim Tague's book and pop in and ask themto take it down.

Jim, from Bishop Auckland, was incensed that Wear Valley District Council had the EU flag fluttering.

So he did some homework. He discovered the council was in contravention of the Town and Country Planning Act and also Section 19 of the Local Authority Guidelines on Publicity.

If councils fly any flag they first need planning permission.

Even if they've got that, they can't fly the EU flag because they are not allowed to use public money to attempt to persuade the public to hold a particular view on a political matter.

So there you have it.

I suppose it's hoping for too much for the Cross of St George to be given due prominence.