Using Union Jack to ‘reassert authority’ over Wales will ‘end in tears’, says Drakeford

Westminster’s attempt to use the Union Jack to “reassert” its “authority” over Wales, will “end in tears” according to Mark Drakeford.

The First Minister suggested that it was “very off-putting for many people” in an interview with Channel 4 News.

He also said that the current UK Government “creates adherents for nationalists every day” because it fails to “recognise the fundamental need for reform”.

Boris Johnson’s government has previously come under fire for its demand that the Union Jack be flown on all UK Government buildings, every day.

In the guidance issued by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport it said that the Union Jack must always be flown in a ‘superior position’ to the Welsh flag.

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

‘Peril’ 

When he was asked how much the union is in peril, Mark Drakeford said: “Well, I think it’s more in peril than at any time in my political lifetime.

“The current government and the leadership of the current government creates adherents for nationalists every day because they fail to recognise the fundamental need for reform.

“They believe that just by flying more Union Jacks about the place will somehow reassert the authority of a Westminster dominant government.

“That is very very off-putting for many people, and it’s a policy that will end in tears.”

He was also asked if Labour could become more pro-independence if Scotland left the union and Westminster refused to devolve more powers.

He said: “It would fundamentally alter the context of the debate for Wales.

“Well look the Labour Party in Wales is focused on securing a successful future for Wales in a successful United Kingdom. That’s where our efforts and our energies are focused.”