Walker wants Union flag to fly at council

Walker wants Union flag to fly at council

6 November 2013

A DUP councillor has called for the Union flag to be flown once again at Down Council.

Billy Walker said he had “had enough” of how unionists were being treated on the council. He said Irish language headed stationery being forced upon him at the local authority was the “last straw”, and had prompted his flag request.

The Union flag was last flown at Down Council in 2000 after nationalist politicians agreed to replace it with a corporate council flag. At the time Mr. Walker, who was then not a councillor, was among those who staged a protest at the local authority against the decision.

Now the politician wants the flag at Down Council to be flown using the 18 designated days policy at Belfast City Council, which last year prompted flag protests and major disruption from loyalists across Northern Ireland.

His proposal is due to come before Down Council on Monday evening.

“I do not have a problem with anyone using the Irish language if that is their wish, but I should not have it forced upon myself,” he said.

“Nationalists and republicans are saying that under equality legislation we should be accepting the Irish language. What I say to them, if they want to talk about equality, is that they should not have a problem with flying the flag on designated days of the year. Let’s see how far they reach the hand of friendship out.

“Whether they like it or not, Northern Ireland is part of the kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and it is the flag of this country.

“When I am in the Republic of Ireland I respect their flag.

In America you see their flag flying everywhere.”

Listing his grievances over recent years, councillor Walker said: “When illegal republican memorials were erected the SDLP and the council did not have the guts to say anything, unionists were told they had to accept it.

“Then there was the debacle around the cross on the St. Patrick’s flag, and the tricolour being flown on St. Patrick’s day.

“And now we have the signage in the new council headquarters — the main language is Irish and English plays second fiddle.

“I am saying enough is enough.”

Mr. Walker said he understood nationalists were critical of his stance and denied he was trying to cause trouble, or behaving in a bigoted manner.

“I respect anybody’s right to use the Irish language, my issue is me being forced to use it, and the fact that with some nationalists it is give, give, give, give, and no take,” he said.

Councillor Walker added that he was pursuing the council logo issue with the Equality Commission, claiming there had been a lack of consultation. He said the Commission had advised him to pursue his complaint through Down Council initially and to return to them if not satisfied.