This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/uk/519102-flag-shagger-government-buildings-rule/

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
‘Flag shagging’ or completely normal? New rule says Union Jack to fly on all govt buildings, polarizing Brits ‘Flag shagging’ or completely normal? New rule says Union Jack to fly on all govt buildings, polarizing Brits
(6 months later)
New guidance that will require all government buildings in England, Wales and Scotland to fly the Union flag has ignited a fierce debate about whether the policy is long overdue or jingoistic.New guidance that will require all government buildings in England, Wales and Scotland to fly the Union flag has ignited a fierce debate about whether the policy is long overdue or jingoistic.
Under instructions issued to government personnel by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Department, the Union Jack should be displayed every day, unless there is already a flag on display to mark a special event. The guidance will take effect in summer. The government is also encouraging all local councils to fly the flag. Under the current rules, the Union flag is only required to come out during days of national significance, such as the Queen’s birthday. The guidance will not apply to Northern Ireland. Under instructions issued to government personnel by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Department, the Union Jack should be displayed every day, unless there is already a flag on display to mark a special event. The guidance will take effect in summer. The government is also encouraging all local councils to fly the flag. Under the current rules, the Union flag is only required to come out during days of national significance, such as the Queen’s birthday. The guidance will not apply to Northern Ireland. 
Commenting on the new policy, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the flag “unites us as a nation and people rightly expect it to be flown above UK government buildings.”Commenting on the new policy, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the flag “unites us as a nation and people rightly expect it to be flown above UK government buildings.”
The announcement comes after BBC Breakfast host Charlie Stayt faced a barrage of criticism for joking about the large size of a Union flag on display during a television interview. The guidance seems to have further fanned the flames of an ongoing culture war about patriotism in the UK. The announcement comes after BBC Breakfast host Charlie Stayt faced a barrage of criticism for joking about the large size of a Union flag on display during a television interview. The guidance seems to have further fanned the flames of an ongoing culture war about patriotism in the UK. 
Conservatives welcomed the move. “This is a government that’s not ashamed to be British and fly the flag,” Tory MP Paul Bristow remarked. Conservatives welcomed the move. “This is a government that’s not ashamed to be British and fly the flag,” Tory MP Paul Bristow remarked. 
His colleague, John Hayes, told the BBC in response to the announcement that you “routinely” see national flags flying in the capitals of other countries and that it was time for the UK to adopt a similar practice. His colleague, John Hayes, told the BBC in response to the announcement that you “routinely” see national flags flying in the capitals of other countries and that it was time for the UK to adopt a similar practice. 
Many social media users seemed to agree, describing the policy as a non-issue. Many social media users seemed to agree, describing the policy as a non-issue. 
“It’s sad that government buildings flying the national flag is a.) something new b.) something worthy of a headline and c.) something that our own people are offended by,” read one of many supportive comments. “It’s sad that government buildings flying the national flag is a.) something new b.) something worthy of a headline and c.) something that our own people are offended by,” read one of many supportive comments. 
There were plenty of critics, however. Angry social media users tweeted out #flagshagger, a term used to describe someone who is overzealous about their adoration for the Union Jack. The hashtag soon began to trend in the UK. There were plenty of critics, however. Angry social media users tweeted out #flagshagger, a term used to describe someone who is overzealous about their adoration for the Union Jack. The hashtag soon began to trend in the UK. 
Numerous people claimed that the Tories had become desperate and were relying on “dangerous” nationalism and xenophobia to whip up support for the government. Numerous people claimed that the Tories had become desperate and were relying on “dangerous” nationalism and xenophobia to whip up support for the government. 
MP Mhairi Black, a member of the Scottish National Party, blasted the policy as shallow, and accused Conservatives of cynically trying to use the flag to “promote the strength of the union,” revealing “how thin the case for the union is.”MP Mhairi Black, a member of the Scottish National Party, blasted the policy as shallow, and accused Conservatives of cynically trying to use the flag to “promote the strength of the union,” revealing “how thin the case for the union is.”
She was far from the only Scot to lash out at the policy. She was far from the only Scot to lash out at the policy. 
Others claimed that the provision was worded more as an advisory than an order, allowing wiggle room for Scotland’s nationalist government. Others claimed that the provision was worded more as an advisory than an order, allowing wiggle room for Scotland’s nationalist government. 
The Union flag first appeared in 1606 and combined the flags of England and Scotland to mark the union of the two nations. The red cross of Saint Patrick was added in 1801 after the Kingdom of Ireland merged with Great Britain. The Union flag first appeared in 1606 and combined the flags of England and Scotland to mark the union of the two nations. The red cross of Saint Patrick was added in 1801 after the Kingdom of Ireland merged with Great Britain. 
Like this story? Share it with a friend!Like this story? Share it with a friend!
Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.