Union Jack: Commentator on UK government buildings decision

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Fans of the flag were delighted last week when culture secretary Oliver Dowden announced it should fly from Government buildings ever day. A new push is underway for it to be flown on hospitals, health centres, railway stations and police stations and other public buildings. The Health Secretary has privately expressed his “enthusiastic” support for flying the flag at NHS locations.

Former security minister Sir John Hayes, the chairman of the “common sense” group of MPs, is leading calls for the flag to fly across the NHS estate.

In a letter to the culture secretary, he states: “During what has been an unprecedented year, our incredible National Health Service has been close to the hearts of a grateful nation. With this in mind, I believe it would be particularly fitting to emphasise the NHS’s unique British heritage by implementing the guidance regarding the Union flag and NHS flag flying together on all hospitals, public health centres and other NHS buildings.

“In doing so, we would reaffirm our collective pride in the NHS; reinforce its public ownership and illustrate to those around the world, the United Kingdom’s enduring commitment to healthcare free at the point of need. The proud display of shared emblems of national pride foster unity, bringing the people of the four nations of our United Kingdom together.

Pushing for the widest possible use of the flag, he says: “I am sure you will agree that it is important that all Government agencies, from the Environment agency to Ofsted and other public buildings such as railway stations and police stations fly the flag too.”

Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has said he wants all local councils to fly the union flag on their buildings.

Pollsters YouGov last week found 58 percent of Britons strongly or somewhat approved on flying the Union flag on government buildings every day and only 19 percent somewhat or strongly disapproved.

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