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| Submit Comments | Comments (11) | Next Story »

By George! How very unpatriotic

Christopher Brereton

June 01, 2006

EXCLUSIVE

IN the run-up to the football World Cup, spoilsport New Prospect bosses have banned workers from flying England flags.

A letter has been sent from assistant director of property services John Rule, telling managers to instruct staff that maintenance workers using New Prospect's fleet must not fly any "unauthorised accessories, namely the flag of St George".

The letter goes on to add that while "those amongst us who support the England football team in the forthcoming World Cup wish the team every success," the flags were inappropriate and "can seriously compromise the health and safety of our own employees and members of the public".

The draconian line taken by New Prospect - in charge of Salford City Council's stock of 27,000 council homes - has infuriated workers who simply want to demonstrate their support for the national team.

Many say the move is just another example of political correctness and pointless bureaucracy.

One New Prospect worker said: "It's a shame but symptomatic of the excessively politically correct world in which we now live."

"However, Salford is increasingly becoming a multi-cultural city and the council has to be sensitive to how residents of other nationalities would react to England flags being displayed."

The partner of another New Prospect employee, who is upset at the decision, said: "I just think it's absolutely disgraceful that you can't support your own team. It's another step in a long list of things you can no longer do to show your support for your country. This is just political correctness - what other reason could there be?

"Some of the lads have their own team flags inside the vehicles but nothing has been said before, so it must be about England.

"They got all the workers in the canteen and threatened to stop the workers from going out there and doing their jobs because they would confiscate any vans still flying the flags. It's just madness."

New Prospect declined to expand on why it had taken the stance. A spokesperson said: "We support the comments made in the letter and do not wish to comment further."

Salford City Council employees can display the flags.

| Submit Comments | Comments (11) | Next Story »

Most recent user comments 11 of 11

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I think this is disgracefull, fair enough we do allow other nationalities to live in this country and we all treat them as equals in politics and every other way of living. how ever they are living in ENGLAND! if they want to support their own nationalitie they can in any way they like, we are not stopping them. i think that this is wrong, whats next... banning christmas from TV?

christopher marsden, Salford
20/07/2006 at 16:16

Just who are these morons who are trying to tell us how to think and be in charge of our lives? Multicultural we may be - and rightly so - but other nationalities are here because they WANT to live in England AND BE ENGLISH!! Logic dictates then that they cannot rightly be offended by the displaying of English symbols because they ARE English or want to be so and will therefore WANT to support England in any manner they can. Cant someone tell these low-IQ PC fools to take their juvenile ideas somewhere else where they will be appreciated?

J Smith, Salford
24/06/2006 at 13:12

To hell with new prospect! And don't think we'll forget that you hate England.

Englishmen arising, England
8/06/2006 at 19:39

Perhaps the Advertiser could tell the real reason, which is that public and quasi-public bodies (like New Prospect) have stopped allowing this because of the possible risks to other road users and pedestrians. I seem to recall a cyclist being injured by one of these flags recently and sueing the driver. Would the people of Salford prefer their rent payments and council tax to go into the pockets of solicitors and claimants, rather than on services? What price freedom, indeed?

Nigel, Oldham
8/06/2006 at 12:27

I'm proud to be British yet I completely support New Prospect's decision. But probably not for the reasons that they chose to ban them. I believe that the flags look cheap and tacky, and there are far more effective ways of showing your pride in your nation than flying a cheap piece of flimsy nylon from your car.

For those who have already replied on this forum with racist and bigotted comments, I would remind them that the most effective ways of demonstrating your commitment to your nation is by living by its values. In Britain these include: openess, forward-thinking and liberty.

Lets not forget that no one is stopping NPHL employees from displaying flags in their own personal vehicles.

J, Salford
5/06/2006 at 13:45

And people wonder why the British National Party and co are winning more and more votes. It's time the likes of New prospect realised they are actually helping to grow the prejudice culture in this country by actively getting the backs up of the ethnic majority with these poorly thought out decisions. Please I crave some common sense in these dark days of PC.

Andrew, North East
4/06/2006 at 09:39

New Prospect. No chance of expanding to the USA, then. There the Stars and Stripes can been seen fluttering everywhere you look.

George Saint, Bolton
4/06/2006 at 02:59

The UK Flag contains a cross in it, will that be banned too?

InfidelK9, USA
3/06/2006 at 08:41

Are things so bad in England that one may not display the flag of your own country? Two telling statements in the article:

" the flags were inappropriate and "can seriously compromise the health and safety of our own employees and members of the public".

"However, Salford is increasingly becoming a multi-cultural city and the council has to be sensitive to how residents of other nationalities would react to England flags being displayed."

If the residents can't be proud of their flag then maybe they shouldn't be living there.

Dale, Texas
2/06/2006 at 21:16

Very good report and we all know its just more of the whole DHIMMI atitude of our authorities. What price freedom?

Andy, Swinton
2/06/2006 at 19:46

What Id like to know is, would such a fuss to fly the Union Flag be made if Great Britain Rugby League play in Tri Nations? Unbelievable!

Grassface, AUSTRALIA
2/06/2006 at 14:31

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