Comber TUV Cllr Stephen Cooper said:
“I’m naturally disappointed that last night, in the Corporate Services Committee of Ards and North Down Council, there was a golden opportunity to adopt my notice of motion and secure a policy for our borough which would ensure all war memorials would fly the Union Flag all year round and on all council buildings.
“The DUP proposed an amendment which was supported by both UUP and Alliance which refused to countenance and adhere to the guidelines announced by Westminster to fly flags all year round earlier this year, – but worse still; the absence of flags on our war memorials is now prolonged, due to political posturing and an insistence on a report to come back outlining “risk and cost.”
“In delaying this decision, it only provides succour to those determined to dilute our British identity and further insult our fallen in service to our nation.
“In the absence of a coherent flag policy and as a result of this ill-judged amendment, it is now subject to further bureaucracy and red tape.
“Make no mistake, if pan Nationalism had the numbers, they wouldn’t waste a second!
“Shame on those placing this on the long finger, but I hope this is put to bed as quickly as possible and due respect is given to our fallen heroes and our national flag when the report finally comes back to committee.
“It is incumbent upon all democrats to respect the electorate’s repeated wish to remain as part of the United Kingdom, and cherish our National flag on all council buildings and our war memorials.”
Note to editors
Councillor Cooper’s motion read:
“That this Council adopts as policy the flying of the Union flag on all Council buildings and war memorials all year round; and furthermore includes in said policy that Union flags will be flown at half-mast on the death of any monarch, or any other member of the Royal Family, or Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, for the respective period of mourning.”
The amendment was to delay and wait on the report to outline cost and risk (sic). This was opposed by TUV Cllr Cooper, Cllr Tom Smith (Ind) and Cllr Dunlop (Green Party).