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Should we fly the EU flag?

12:51pm Tuesday 3rd June 2008

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A ROW has erupted after Labour councillors demanded the Euro-pean flag is hung in the new council chamber.

But Basildon Council's ruling Tories are refusing to display the European symbol in the new meeting room, called St George's Suite, amid claims it is meaningless.

Council leader Malcolm Buckley even dismissed the flag as a "blue duster" and said it would stay in storage.

But Basildon Labour group leader Lynda Williams wants it back.

She said: "The council has hung the European flag in the council chamber for several years. There is no reason why this should not continue."

She said it was "two faced" of the Conservatives to jet to Cannes in the south of France and try to lure foreign investment to Basildon without recognising the benefits of being in Europe. She added: "The council, residents and local voluntary groups benefit from European funding.

"This should be recognised rather than ignored."

However, Mr Buckley said the flag would not be returning and the St George's Cross had replaced it alongside the Union flag and a portrait of the Queen.

He added: "We feel it is more appropriate for a council to proudly fly the St George's Cross 365 days a year.

"The fact the room is named after St George makes this much more appropriate than a blue duster which means nothing to any nation.

"It is much more appropriate for a council to keep things local. Europe's not a nation, but a conglomeration of countries."

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Your Say YourEcho

Tony Winchester, Wos says...
1:21pm Tue 3 Jun 08

It is much more appropriate for a council to keep things local. Europe's not a nation, but a conglomeration of countries."
I think he meant a communist group instead .
Any liebour councilers should be done for treason aswell.despicable people

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Truth, essex says...
1:36pm Tue 3 Jun 08

IS THIS GOING TO SORT OUT BASILDONS NEEDS ,I THINK NOT!!!!!1!!!!!!
IF THIS IS ALL THEY GET THEIR EXPENSES FOR I THINK I WILL BECOME A QWANGO WHEELDING COUCILLOR!!!!!!!!!1

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pete, bas says...
1:37pm Tue 3 Jun 08

PERHAPS LYNDA WILLIAMS
WOULD CARE TO POINT OUT THE BENEFITS OF BEING IN THE EUROPEAN MARKET. I THOUGHT IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.
TRY TELLING THAT TO OUR LORRY DRIVERS. WE PAY THE HIGHEST TAX ON FUEL IN EUROPE. AND IF THE EUROPEAN UNION IF IS THAT GOOD WHY WON'T HER GOVERMENT LET US HAVE A REFERENDUM]??

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Ivanna Goodhump, says...
2:00pm Tue 3 Jun 08

They should tear this flag into little squares and leave it in the Councillors toilets (after removing all the paper)

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sandie seward, Pitsea says...
3:44pm Tue 3 Jun 08

Makes me feel pleased that I voted Tory in the recent elections.

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Happy Hammer, Basildon says...
4:00pm Tue 3 Jun 08

It may have escaped the notice of all the above comments, but I've got a little secret to tell...WE ARE IN EUROPE!! Britain is situated in the continent of Europe. Check out the atlas , it really is true! So displaying the EU flag is surely an acknowledgement of the good work being done by our elected representatives in Europe. Bring back the flag.

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Sand, Laindon says...
10:38pm Tue 3 Jun 08

Happy Hammer we know we are in Europe, but dose that mean we have to fly the EU flag? why haven't we got our own Basildon Flag? We should have a competition to get one designed, and fly that. In the meantime, fly the Cross of St. George.

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Truth, Above all this says...
11:20pm Tue 3 Jun 08

This has no bearing on anything and is just a story to make idiots angry.

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K. Smith, Essex says...
12:23am Wed 4 Jun 08

The only place fit to fly the EU Circle of lies/stars is in the Town Hall toilets.

That's real recycling!

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Ivanna Goodhump, says...
8:52am Wed 4 Jun 08

Sand wrote:
Happy Hammer we know we are in Europe, but dose that mean we have to fly the EU flag? why haven't we got our own Basildon Flag? We should have a competition to get one designed, and fly that. In the meantime, fly the Cross of St. George.
A Basildon Flag, now there's a thought.

To be fully representative of Basildon it could be divided into quarters with each containing a picture of a local item.

1. A travellers park
2. A single Mum on benefit
3. Wrecked Council House
4.Kids vandalising a public building

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Phil Rackley, Basildon says...
11:30am Wed 4 Jun 08

Councillor Buckley's comment is perhaps indicative of where the Tories really stand on Europe i.e. their position is more akin to that of UKIP. They don't want to be in the EU even though the benefits both to the UK and to Basildon have been significant.
Having the Eu flag alongside the St Georges Flag and the Union Flag is all about inclusion. We are in Europe, we are at the centre of Europe and we should regognise this as well as recognising that we are British aswell.

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Ivanna Goodhump, says...
2:44pm Wed 4 Jun 08

Phil Rackley wrote:
Councillor Buckley's comment is perhaps indicative of where the Tories really stand on Europe i.e. their position is more akin to that of UKIP. They don't want to be in the EU even though the benefits both to the UK and to Basildon have been significant. Having the Eu flag alongside the St Georges Flag and the Union Flag is all about inclusion. We are in Europe, we are at the centre of Europe and we should regognise this as well as recognising that we are British aswell.
What benefits have we seen from Europe - none.

The UK is a net contributor to Europe (it gets back less than it gives)so the UK taxpayers subsidise development in Spain and other EU countries.

If we retained this money in the UK rather than giving it away we would all be better off.

Don't forget the EU is a non democratic political project based on 30 year old outdated ideals that was sold to people as an economic partnership.

It is also massively inept, bureaucratic and corrupt (the Commission accounts have never been able to be signed of by auditors).

It is responsible for the majority of the ridiculous legislation that pervades our lives and makes life hard and miserable for many.

The sooner we leave the political project and concentrate on just economic partnership along the lines of Norway/Switzerland etc the better.

If the POPULATION of Europe is ever given a referendum then the EU would cease to exist in its current form and the Euro would be thrown away.

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K. Smith, Essex says...
6:47pm Thu 5 Jun 08

P. Rackley could not be more wrong by saying the Tories are more akin to UKIP.

Tory Euro-MPs gave up £35,000 from thier information budget to push for the defeated YES vote to the EU Constitution in 2005.

Tory Euro-MPs voted to let Poland & Co. join the EU.

The only party the Tories are akin to is New Labour.

Red Labour & Blue Labour both support high taxes, mass immigration and rule from Brussles.

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Isle of Nowhere, says...
1:39pm Wed 25 Jun 08

Sand wrote:
Happy Hammer we know we are in Europe, but dose that mean we have to fly the EU flag? why haven't we got our own Basildon Flag? We should have a competition to get one designed, and fly that. In the meantime, fly the Cross of St. George.
Dear Happy Hammer - I have done what you suggested and looked at a map of Europe.

I looked all over the continent but couldnt find Britain in the continent.

I did however find Britain just offshore from France - a collection of Islands.

And for your information the 'European Union' is not Europe.

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