In July 2007 the Governance of Britain Green Paper committed the Government to consult on whether the guidance for flying the Union Flag on UK Government buildings on only designated fixed days of the year should be altered. The Green Paper set out the Government’s view that in recent years the Union Flag, the most recognizable symbol of the United Kingdom, has been exploited by those whose values do not mirror traditional British standards of tolerance and mutual respect. Removing restrictions on the flying of the Union Flag from Government buildings is a statement of reclaiming public ownership of the best-known symbol of British values.

While the consultation was taking place, the Government relaxed its guidance and granted UK Government Departments the freedom to fly the Union Flag on their buildings when they wished, and many now do so all the time.

Arrangements for flag flying in Northern Ireland are already governed by specific legislation – the Flags (Northern Ireland) Order 2000 and the Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000. The UK Government has no plans to change these arrangements.

Summary of Consultation Responses

DCMS published a consultation paper The Governance of Britain – Flag Flying in July 2007 and the consultation period ran until November 2007. The Government received 305 responses to the consultation and 60 per cent of respondents were in favour of the Union Flag being flown on UK Government buildings all of the time.

A summary of the responses can be found in The Governance of Britain: Consultation Analysis (CM 7342-3).

The majority of the responses (287) came from members of the public with the remaining (18) responses coming from local authorities and other organizations. These included English Heritage, The Flag Institute, Westminster City Council, the Welsh Language Board and the Wessex Society.

The consultation document contained three questions. Respondents answered the questions in a variety of ways and some also raised their own questions. In answer to the first and main question, do you think the Union Flag should be flown on Government buildings?

• 60 percent favoured the Union Flag being flown on Government buildings all of the time;
• 13 percent favoured the status quo of flying the Flag on the current 18 days;
• 4 percent favoured flying the Flag on working days only;
• 3 percent thought that Government departments should be able to choose when to fly the Flag; and
• 2 percent thought it should be flown on an increased number of fixed days;
  The remaining 18 per cent who responded favoured a variety of measures outside of the five options offered suggestions.
  

Respondents were also invited to suggest additions to the fixed flying days if the overall decision was to remain with the designated flag flying days only and for any other suggestions on the flying of the Flag on UK Government buildings.