Union Jack ‘must always’ be flown in ‘superior position’ to Welsh flag, says UK Government

The Union Jack must always be flown in a ‘superior position’ to the Welsh flag, according to the UK Government.

Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, issued the order, as part of a demand from Westminster that the Union Jack be flown on all UK Government buildings, every day.

It was claimed that “the Kingdom of England and Wales” is one of the “constituent nations” of the UK, in a statement announcing the move.

Currently, Union flags are only required to be flown on all UK Government buildings on designated days. However, the new guidance, which will come into place in the summer, asks that the flag to be flown all year round.

The UK Government says it will now also allow dual flagging to “cut red” tape. This means that a national flag, such as the Red Dragon, can be flown on the same pole as the Union Jack. But the Welsh flag would have to be flown below, according to the guidance.

The purpose of this is to “allow organisations to highlight local and national identities”.

Oliver Dowden said: “The Union flag is the national flag of the United Kingdom, and it is so called because it embodies the emblems of the three constituent nations united under one sovereign—the Kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Northern Ireland.

“It serves as a reminder of our shared history and union. Flags other than the Union, such as national flags of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom, the armed forces flag, the Commonwealth flag, county and other local flags, can be flown on non-designated days.”

‘Two flags’ 

He added: “We will also cut red tape to allow dual flagging, where two flags can be flown on one pole.

“This will allow organisations to highlight local and national identities, for example by flying a Middlesex county flag alongside the Union flag in Middlesex, or the Saltire alongside the Union flag in Scotland.

“Where organisations have two flag poles, they can fly the Union flag alongside another flag, for example, flying the Saltire alongside the Union flag in Scotland.

“The Union flag must always be flown in the superior position.”

“The changes will help champion the UK’s national identities and strengthen our shared pride in the Union through the institutions that define Britain.

“Currently, Union flags are only required to be flown on all UK Government buildings in England, Wales and Scotland on designated days, such as the Queen’s birthday.

“The changes will apply to all Government buildings across the UK, with the Union flag being flown by default if nothing else is being flown, such as another national flag of the UK, or a county flag or other flags to mark civic pride.

“The guidance will also encourage other buildings, such as councils, to follow this example, where they have a flagpole and wish to fly a flag.”