400th YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNION FLAG

Motion Text

That this House celebrates the rich 400 year history of the Union Flag, originally adopted on 12th April 1606 by James I, uniting the countries of England and Scotland through a combination of the St. George's and St. Andrew's Crosses, before the Cross of St. Patrick was later added in 1801, completing the modern version of the Union Flag; notes the importance of the flag as a sign of British strength and unity around the world, bringing together all British people under one common attachment to a shared heritage and identity; acknowledges the sustained presence of the Union Flag within the flags of Australia, New Zealand, Tuvalu, Fiji and the UK Overseas Territories, where British values and traditions are still central to everyday life; and looks forward to the Union Flag continuing being flown with pride for centuries to come.