Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“The 9th of January is a Designated Day throughout the United Kingdom. The list published by Westminster’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport makes it clear that the Union Flag should be flown today in honour of the birthday of HRH the Duchess of Cambridge.
“Yet no flag is flying from Parliament Buildings because Stormont operates a Designated Days policy which follows the Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.
“This list hasn’t been updated in 15 years hence while HM the Queen Mother’s birthday dropped off the list when she died other dates which are now observed across the UK (such as the birthdays of the Duke of Cambridge and Duchess of Cambridge) were never added.
“At Westminster the Union Flag flies every day. Similarly, at the Welsh Assembly the Union Flag (along with the Welsh and EU flags) flies daily. The Scottish Parliament flew the Union Flag 365 days a year until the SNP took power. The Nationalists have since implemented a Designated Days policy although they continue to fly the Saltire every day. However, even under Nationalist control the Union Flag flies at Holyrood on days such as today because they follow the Designated Days policy issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
“Over two years ago Stormont’s Assembly Commission began discussing Parliament Building’s policy on flying the Union Flag. We have finally got to the stage where there is a consultation on the issue and I would encourage people to send in their views.
“However, the fact that this issue has dragged on for so long before a consultation could even start on the issue illustrates how powerless Unionists are under the current Stormont arrangements.
“If Unionists were serious about making changes to this policy they should have been secured as part of the recent talks on flags. The talks in the run up to Christmas were also the ideal time for Unionists to ensure that the Flag Regulations which decide the Designated Days for Government buildings in Northern Ireland were, as a minimum, amended by Westminster so as to reflect the days marked in other parts of the UK.
“Instead all that was secured was a Flags Commission – into which it is anticipated the Irish Government will have input!
“The failure to fly the Union Flag today at Stormont, coming on the back of news that Northern Ireland will be excluded from arrangements to have the Union Flag on UK driving licences, is a telling reminder that the British identity of Ulster is being eroded.
“A Northern Ireland Assembly which cannot even fly the flag to celebrate the birthday of a senior member of the Royal Family is not one which is delivering for the Unionist community”.
Note to editors
- The Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s list of Designated Days is online here https://www.gov.uk/designated-days-for-union-flag-flying
- The Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 can be read here http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nidsr/2000/0337937729
- The consultation on flags flying from Parliament Buildings closes on Monday 2nd February. Members of the public can respond by downloading the form here http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/about-the-assembly/corporate-information/policies/review-of-the-policy-on-the-flying-of-the-union-flag-at-parliament-buildings/