DUP wants Union flag changes to apply to Northern Ireland as well

The Department for Digital Media Culture and Sport announced last week that the Union flag should fly from all government buildings in England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland every day starting this summer.

Sir Jeffrey said: “Many will see it as bizarre that the UK Government is only deciding in 2021 to fly the Union Flag, the flag of our nation, on all government buildings every day.

“When I visit other nations around the world, flying the national flag on government buildings is commonplace.

“The decision to exclude Northern Ireland, at this stage is wrong and runs contrary to New Decade New Approach which sought to align us with the rest of the UK when it came to the Union Flag being flown on government buildings.

“This is a matter we will be pressing the Government to address. The publication of the Dunlop Report and the response from the Government, are positive steps in terms of promoting the Union and on binding the UK together, but the major fly in the ointment remains the Northern Ireland Protocol which this government created and implemented. It is deeply damaging to the Union as it places a trade border between us and the rest of the United Kingdom.

“If the Government wanted to immediately improve the Union, they would start with the removal of the Protocol.

“Overall the fact the Government is alert to the importance of promoting the Union is positive and there are constructive proposals to bind the Union together in terms of the Great New Office of State in the Cabinet.

“Importantly Northern Ireland would still retain a seat in the Cabinet but this new Office could integrate Northern Ireland and the other regions better in terms of decision