A PETITION started to stop the UK Government installing an eight-storey Union flag in the centre of Cardiff is rapidly gathering momentum.
The petition on the website Change.org surpassed 1000 signatures in just four hours. It has since gathered over 1500 and is on the way to the next milestone.
Started by the pro-independence group YesCymru, the petition claims the massive flag, which will be almost 300 square metres in size, “is an act of political symbolism designed to promote 'muscular Unionism', a reminder to the people of Wales of their subservient status in the United Kingdom”.
The Union flag will be one of the largest in the world. Covering 288 square metres, the vinyl will be 32 metres high and nine metres wide.
Reportedly, the world’s largest is painted on hangar doors on the Isle of Wight. It is 46m wide and 12m high.
The permission has been granted to display the flag on the UK Government building in the Welsh capital under rules for “advertisements”, according to reports on the BBC.
READ MORE: UK Government building in Wales to get eight-storey tall Union flag
Written in both English and Welsh, YesCymru’s petition goes on: “This flag does not represent the people of Wales and is a blatant political act designed to act as a provocation to the people of Wales.
“We the undersigned call on the Cardiff Council Planning Committee, and its chair [Welsh Labour] Councillor Keith Jones, to withdraw their permission for this advertisement.”
The flag will appear on Tŷ William Morgan (William Morgan House), the UK Government’s “hub” in Wales which is to host more than 4000 staff from various UK Government departments and agencies.
The twelve-storey building is opposite Cardiff’s central station and the BBC Wales offices.
The YesCymru petition adds: “We believe that as the capital city of Wales, visitors, commuters and residents should not be faced with a gigantic Union Jack flag on arrival at Cardiff Central railway station.”
We urge Cardiff Council to reconsider their decision to grant permission for the Union Jack to be placed on Cardiff's HMRC building. Please sign this petition. @cardiffcouncil @huwthomas_Wales 1/3https://t.co/udS5Hd2qdA
— YesCymru 🏴 (@YesCymru) July 1, 2021
The Union flag does not incorporate the Welsh flag into its design as the principality of Wales had already been united with England when it was created, in 1606.
One petition signatory commented: "Wales is not represented on the UK flag and until it is, it should not fly in Wales."
A UK Government spokesperson said: "Tŷ William Morgan is a significant UK Government building and is the first of its kind in Wales.
"As is practice with similar UK Government sites across the United Kingdom and around the world, it will feature the Union flag as part of its visual branding.
READ MORE: Tory MP fumes over lack of Union flags in the Welsh Parliament
"The flag of Wales is flown at Tŷ William Morgan, which also contains other specifically Welsh branding, while the name of the new building was chosen to reflect the UK Government's investment in Wales and Welsh culture."
The Welsh Parliament has recently banned the display of any flags while members are contributing remotely. First Minister Mark Drakeford backed the ban, saying Tories waving the Union flag had been engaging in "vacuous symbolism".
You can find the petition here.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel