Ulster Banner row: MLAs denounce plans to ditch flag at 2026 Commonwealth Games during sitting of Stormont
The prospect of doing away with the Ulster Banner as Team NI’s flag came up in Stormont yesterday, with DUP MLA Brian Kingston saying the move would “damage community relations”.
He was joined by the TUV’s Timothy Gaston – wearing a tie bearing the star, red hand, and crown of the Ulster Banner – who likewise denounced the plan, calling it “outrageous interference in a settled position”.
They were responding to the announcement by Conal Heatley, chief executive of Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland (CGNI), that he intends to replace the Ulster Banner at the 2026 games with something more “inclusive”.
Mr Kingston – himself a keen sportsman who regularly runs marathons – told MLAs that “we see people from all religious and community backgrounds ready to compete under the Ulster Banner when representing Northern Ireland,” adding that “any proposed change is overtly political and should be left to elected politics”.
“Within this political institution, the Assembly, it is a fundamental principle that cross-community consent is required to make any change on controversial matters,” he said.
"In the absence of consensus on alternative arrangements, then the current arrangements should continue.
"I know that certain people within CGNI have been pushing this issue for some time, but there is no political mandate for CGNI to impose their own change on national representation…
"Against the Red Cross, which has represented Ulster, it includes the Red Hand of Ulster, a six pointed star for the six counties, and the crown signifying our place within the United Kingdom.
"Given that the British monarch is the head of the Commonwealth, that can hardly be deemed controversial for the Commonwealth Games.”
Mr Gaston in turn said: “The Ulster Banner has proudly represented us at the games since 1934: why change it now?
"The simple fact of the matter is that there is no equivalent with broad consent and which is recognised across the world as a flag symbolising Northern Ireland.
"Whatever spin some may seek to put on it, the reality is that the world associates the Ulster Banner with Northern Ireland in the very same way that the Red Dragon is a symbol of Wales.”
The SDLP’s Daniel McCrossan meanwhile said that he wants to see “less fights over flags, and let's see this place actually fight for the health service”.