Speaking during Prime Minister Questions, Tory MP John Hayes said that everyone in Britain “deserves” the chance to see a “forest of flagpoles” with the Union flag on them.
He added that he wanted Labour to “take steps” to make sure every government and public building, including hospitals, schools, police stations and railways had a Union flag flown outside.
“I know you would agree, Mr speaker, that flags and banners bring in national pride, nourish individual sense of worth and nurture our shared sense of belonging,” Hayes said.
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He then went on to call on Keir Starmer to ensure the Union flag was flown next to each national flag across the UK, but did mix up Northern Ireland and Wales with Saint Patrick’s Saltire.
“Will the Prime Minister take steps to ensure that across every part of our kingdom, alongside the Crosses St George in England, St Patrick in Wales and St Andrew in Scotland, the red dragon in Wales that our flag is flown on every government and public building, hospitals, schools, police stations, and railway stations,” Hayes added.
“For every Briton deserves the chance to see a forest of flagpoles and the flutter of the Union Jack.”
Responding, Sarmer did commit to making sure public and government buildings fly the Union flag but reiterated that he was the leader that brought the flag back on the membership card for the Labour Party.
“I share his pride in our country’s flag,” Starmer said.
“It represents our history, our heritage and our values, and that’s why we display it, and I was the Labour leader that put the Union Jack on the membership card for the Labour Party and very proud to do so.
“It belongs to all of us, we should be proud of it and value it.”
