A small but vocal attempt by Republicans, backed by communists, supported by misfits within the media, has been made to discredit our flag. A flag which links us to the stability of the monarchical system of government and our British way of life. These radicals know that our flag must first be destroyed before their despicable aims can be achieved so they desperately flounder as they seek a credible reason for a change. One of the main planks of their argument is that our flag is confusing and not easily recognised by other nationals.

Our flag represents both the spiritual and political union of England, Scotland and Ireland. The union flag in the corner combines the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick and the reality is that it was people from this union who sweated and toiled to build this great country of ours.

Honestly: How often does one bother to recognise the flag of an­other nation? How many of those who talk of confusion could pass the simple test of designating the flags of at least six countries?

Most countries’ flags are simply a variation of three colours either horizontal or vertical. And would you believe it, some even have an identical flag. Eg. Columbia and Ecuador, E1 Salvador and Nicaragua (which become Guatemala) when turned on their side. Holland and Luxembourg (which become France) when turned sideways. Indonesia and Monaco (which become Poland) when turned upside down. Guinea and Mali are the reverse to each other and change to either Bolivia or Ethiopia depending on which way they are turned and finally Ivory Coast and Ireland are the reverse to each other.

Well, how about the countries which use the same colours but in a different order? Or those which only require a small alteration to make them identical? Remove a small sun from Argentina and it becomes Nicaragua or E1 Salvador - take your pick. Add a few small stars to Somali and it becomes the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Change the colour of the star on Cameroon and it becomes Senegal.

These are but a sample but there are endless more.

We are indeed fortunate that our founding fathers gave us a flag that cannot be screwed around and is easily recognised; it is not a hotch patch of similar colours and at worst even an uneducated peasant would recognise it as part of the British Commonwealth of Nations.