NI Conservatives’ spokesman, Trevor Ringland, has welcomed the DUP’s decision to withdraw a suggestion to fly the Union Flag permanently at the Cenotaph in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.
“We felt that it was wrong to use the Cenotaph, where we all remember the sacrifices of others and reflect upon the cruelty of war, as a pawn in a political game”, Trevor explained. “So we welcome the DUP’s decision not to press ahead with using a place of remembrance as a ‘plan B’ to keep the Union Flag flying at Belfast City Hall, 365 days a year”.
“All parties should now concentrate on delivering a permanent solution to the flags issue. The NI Conservatives have been very clear that the Union Flag should fly on designated days on all government buildings and council headquarters, across Northern Ireland. The flag should fly to reflect our place within the United Kingdom and the constitutional preference of a majority of people here, rather than being misused to assert the identity of one part of the community in Northern Ireland.”
“Let’s see the DUP now concentrate on a pursuing a lasting settlement which will see the Union Flag flown in a respectful and appropriate way across Northern Ireland. Let’s also see Alliance pressing for designated days throughout the province, rather than persisting with the piecemeal approach which was so disastrous in this instance, and using the leverage that their ability to change the City Hall situation still gives them.”