I have my beautiful saltire, England has the brave St George's Cross, Wales the Red Dragon - why should we unite under a flag that reeks of imperialism and is no longer valid today? Should we embrace our nations' individual flags and retire the Jack?
2006-07-28 01:34:06 · 20 answers · asked by Allasse 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
As Rose Tyler so astutely pointed out in an episode of Dr Who, the Union Flag is only ever referred to as the Union Jack when flown aboard a ship. What people don't realise is that it doesn't represent everyone, the Welsh have been left out entirely. St George's cross, St. Andrews and St. Patricks are all included, but there is no flag for Wales in there at all. It doesn't necessarily need retiring, but it does need revising so that it can truly represent each member of the UK. Also, would Americans please stop referring to the UK as "England" and vice-versa, you're bound to upset someone, or more likely everyone who lives in and understands the geography and history of each of the nations represented in the UK.
My greatest sadness is that Northern Ireland still has to be chained to the UK and can not be free to rejoin its neighbours in Eire. It is a border drawn by the rich in the blood of the poor and it continues to cause conflict.
2006-07-28 01:51:14 · answer #1 · answered by H 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Well, no. The United Kingdom is just that, a unity between the member nations. The Union Jack is everyones' flag, regardless of what part of the UK they are from. The George Cross, St. Andrews Cross, Welsh Dragon and St. Patricks Cross reek of sectarianism to me. Lets not forget that N.I., Wales, Scotland, England, The Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands are all just parts of the same country.
2006-07-28 08:40:37 · answer #2 · answered by Entwined 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless it's on a ship it should not be called the Union Jack but be correctly referred as the Union flag. I have no problem with it, although I am prouder of the St Andrew's flag. So, no we should not retire the Union flag; we are four United countries and it seems correct to have a flag that encompasses this fact.
Incidentally, H is perfectly correct regards Wales not being included which is unfair. To all the Welsh people: you have a beautiful capital city!!! :-)
2006-07-28 21:04:57 · answer #3 · answered by Hope 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I am something of an internationalist, but I would still say no, don't get rid of it. I would, however, suggest that individual political parties not be allowed to adopt a national flag, whether the Union Jack, the St. George's Cross etc as a party logo. A flag is a symbol of unity not political partisanship.
2006-07-28 08:59:14 · answer #4 · answered by sleepyredlion 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely! I would love to just have the St Georges Flag and not have the combined Union Jack as well. Lets celebrate our individuality a bit more!
2006-07-28 10:06:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Union Jack makes the United Kingdom.
2006-07-28 08:37:43 · answer #6 · answered by Matt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To the outside world, we are officially the UK, of which England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are like "member states" if you will. We are not four countries we are one United body and so we should be, and the Union Flag represents that.
2006-07-28 09:00:26 · answer #7 · answered by mr_powers14 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Union Jack may represent England, N. Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but i dont know about the UNITED bit that goes with the Kingdom ?
2006-07-28 12:07:00 · answer #8 · answered by captcookremembered 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats exactly why we have the Union Jack, it's a combination of all the flags. It is the flag of the United Kingdom. If you don't like it, then don't fly it!
2006-07-28 08:44:44 · answer #9 · answered by popeleo5th 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO WAY! You have to much history under that flag. I say fly it during unified events and/or ceremonies and keep the individual country flags when you are represented seperately, but I'd hate to see the Jack gone.
What about your military, are they not represented by all the states?
2006-07-28 08:40:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋