Lesley Macaulay, a spokeswoman for the NI Conservatives in East Londonderry, has questioned why nationalist councillors in Limavady have voted down a proposal to end the ban on flying the Union Flag on Council buildings.
“This was a missed opportunity to show courage and adopt a more generous approach. Sadly, this decision will not help to build relationships across the community and it doesn’t contribute to a shared future”, Lesley argued.
“Limavady Council had a wonderful chance to show good faith and provide genuine leadership by respecting the official status of the flag, while refusing to allow it to be misused to assert the identity of only one part of the community. Building positive relationships and a shared future are vital aspects of improving our economy and combating division. If councillors continue to use flags in their areas to imply that majorities are winners and minorities are losers, sectarian divisions will harden and there will be further damage to business right across Northern Ireland. ”
“The NI Conservatives believe that the flag should be flown on designated days by Councils across the whole of Northern Ireland, to reflect Northern Ireland’s place in the UK, which nationalist parties have recognised by accepting the principle of consent. If designated days is the correct policy for Belfast, it’s difficult to understand why it shouldn’t operate elsewhere. At a time when tensions are high we need councillors to show good faith, leadership and consistency on the flags issue.”