Posted on 07/06/2007 2:51:36 PM PDT by UKrepublican
Brown lifts ban on national flag
The union flag is flying over Downing Street after Gordon Brown scrapped a rule saying it could be flown only on certain days of the year.
The prime minister said it will now be up to individual public offices when they fly Britain's national flag.
He said: "When I came into government I realised that you could only fly the flag on 18 days in the year and I thought that was wrong."
He said he also wanted to promote British values of liberty and fairness.
Mr Brown made "Britishness" a key theme in his pitch for the Labour leadership, often appearing against a union flag backdrop.
But he has faced criticism in the past over his calls for a national British day and for praising the American practice of flying the national flag in private gardens.
'Hearts and minds'
In a speech last year, Conservative leader David Cameron accused Mr Brown of wanting to "institutionalise" being British, arguing it was possible to feel "multiple patriotism" with loyalties not only to where you live, but also to where you were born.
"I think we should realise that Britishness is a concept that, if grasped too hard, slips away," the Tory leader added.
Mr Brown told BBC Breakfast he wanted to "isolate" extremists and "show how unacceptable the views of terrorist extremists are".
But he said he realised there was more to winning "hearts and minds" than flying the national flag.
"It is also about how you persuade people that our values about the dignity of human life, about liberty, about our belief in fairness for all, that these are values that define Britain.
"And these people who try to present Britain in a different light, we have to take them on.
"We have got to take them on culturally, we have got to take them on in newspapers, we have got to take them on in the media."
Egads! If this were the case in the US, the entire US retail auto industry would go into the crapper.
I do believe that our British friends have lost their minds.
I had no idea.
Winston has been turning in his grave.
Keep on trying not to upset your enemy England, We the US will not be able to save you this time!
No it wasn’t really - I fly the flag - loads of people do, and also a house near to me has the flaf PAINTED on the entire side of the house.
Looks fantastic!
“So it was against the law to fly the British Flag from your home.”
Where on Earth did you get that from?!
"And these people who try to present Britain in a different light, we have to take them on. "We have got to take them on culturally, we have got to take them on in newspapers, we have got to take them on in the media."
How does a multiculturalist take anybody on using other multiculturalists?
I had no concept this was happening, and I am honestly appalled if the UK has not been flying her national flag.
All I can say is good luck to the UK and your showing your patriotism for the UK in its entirety.
No??? Didn’t they give up 15 sailors and marines to the Iranians without a fight? Do you think there is a connection between the two?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/23/AR2007032300574.html
Yes,,Fly it Proud
The guy may be a labor poof, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Nations need patriotism to survive, and it’ll be good to see the Union Jack flying again.
It wasnt really a law - but do gooder councils prevented us from doing so - one example, a muslim dominated council wouldn’t fly the british flag, but get this, they literally flew the PALESTINIAN flag from a council building.
And the american agent taken by iran, not to mention the HUNDREDS of american troops killed by iranian bombs have been met with that mighty american military response???? Um....no.
He is a big fan of America - part of his inspiration is the American patriotism he see’s which he wants replicated in the UK.
I’m all for it!
“wouldn’t fly the british flag, but get this, they literally flew the PALESTINIAN flag”
See post #10.
What exactly are you trying to say?
Hey, UK, what’s the story with this guy?
I think it actually had something to do with the football a few years ago. It’s absolutely massive. Always cheers me up when I drive by it.
They'll listen and smile and then blow you to bits.
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