Cabbies told: Don't fly England flags

Dean Kirby

June 08, 2004

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PROUD: Saifur Rahman and Azad Hussain

CABBIES have been warned not to fly the flag of St George for Euro 2004 - or they could lose their licence.

The craze has swept the country, with patriotic motorists showing their support for the team.

But taxi and private hire drivers in Rochdale have been banned from flying the flag and in Bury council bosses have confirmed if a cabbie is spotted with one they will be told to remove it.

All other councils across Greater Manchester are taking a more relaxed attitude in the run-up to Euro 2004.

Despite the threat of losing their licence, defiant drivers in Rochdale have vowed to carry on flying the flags for England.

Cabbies there are angry because they have been told to remove them from their vehicles because of a ban on displaying signs and adverts. The ruling says they cannot take to the road if they display any notice or sign - including a flag - without council consent.

In Bury, council bosses say the flags - which clip on to vehicles - would interfere with the livery of the car. Wayne Hamilton, of Connect Cars in Middleton,said: "Drivers have been told to take the flags down or face having their plates removed.

"But they're still flying them. This happened two years ago during the World Cup finals. But this time drivers are sticking to their guns.

"All they want to do is fly the flag for England. Telling them they can't is totally wrong."

Farcical

Cabbie Paul Quigley said: "It's farcical. Some of the lads have removed their flags because they don't want any grief, but it's got a lot of other drivers' backs up and they're still going to fly them."

Naz Khan, from Tiger taxis in Rochdale, said: "It seems so stupid that they can't fly a little flag."

A passenger in Rochdale had called in licensing chiefs after allegedly being told he could not open a cab window because the driver feared his flag would fall out.

John Fletcher, Rochdale Council's licensing manager, said: "Private hire vehicle licences are granted on the condition that licence holders shall not display any notice or sign, which includes flags, on their vehicle. However, the council has agreed that advertising signs may be displayed on rear doors only, but subject to approval by the council's licensing service. Similar conditions also apply to taxis.

"Taxi and private hire vehicle licence holders that are found to be displaying the signs or notices without permission are to be asked to remove them."

Livery

Other councils across Greater Manchester confirmed they allow cab drivers to fly the St George flag, with the exception Rochdale and Bury where a spokesman said they had not seen any of their taxi drivers with flags but they would stop any cabbies flying the St George cross because it interferes with the livery of the vehicle.

A Salford Council spokesman said there were no plans to ban cabbies' flags as long as they don't interfere with the health and safety of passengers. Tameside feels the same way.

Bolton council said: "We have no plans to stop them flying the flag."

This is also the attitude at Trafford.

Oldham council said it was bending usual rules to allow patriotic cabbies to support Beckham and the boys in Euro 2004 A spokesman for Manchester City Council said there were no plans to stop drivers from using the flags.

Wigan Council also has no plans for a ban, nor does Stockport.

MOTORISTS could face a '2,500 fine or three penalty points on their licence if they fly the flag.

Motoring organisations are warning them they could be in breach of road safety regulations.

Should taxi drivers be allowed to fly the flag?

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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

john, swinton (08/06/2004 at 11:31)

No doubt the real reason behind this is nothing to do with advertising or safety,but more to do with the fact that we might offend some ethnic minority or another. Why is is that in America you can be patriotic, but in the UK it is something to be discouraged?

Tom Swade, Rusholme (08/06/2004 at 12:04)

Thank you councils for stopping the flying of these flags. The flag of St. George is too commonly associated with the far right and this should not be encouraged.

Tristan, Manitoba (08/06/2004 at 14:13)

Baaaaaa...

Emma Bullivant, Walkden, Manchester (08/06/2004 at 14:32)

I think this is crazy, how on earth can you take someones licence from them for flying the flag of your country.
What will they think of banning next, I think we are a very patient country allowing other people with other religions and beliefs to express there feelings freely and yet we can not fly our own flag.
Well I am with the cabbies 110% goog on them.

Boony, Eccles (08/06/2004 at 14:45)

What a load of crap! So your not aloud to support your country hey? Next it will be "Cabbies can't wear england tops because that makes you a hooligan...." What is happening to this country??

john coxon, pendlebury , Salford (08/06/2004 at 15:14)

I though the riduclous crass over flying the English flag in certian boroughs was simply looney political correctness but the livery argiment. Don't make me laugh. How many cabds are already unrecognisable as their companies milk extra income by acting as paid mobile advertsing hoardings. Boycot those borough cabs and watch the flags come out. In the klight of this weekend at Normandy, especially greta to see this burst of patriotism, football based or not. Regarding the driving ban or fine, this would of course apply to the Royal family ? I think not.

RF, USA (08/06/2004 at 15:18)

They should be allowed to fly flags--unless there is reasonable chance that it may cause injury or infringe on someone's rights. If not, raise them high! Be glad you aren't part of our USA Olympic team, who has been told they probably shouldn't wave our flags during the opening ceremonies of the Athens Olympics--as not to "offend" anyone!!! When was there any right in this world to NOT be offended? We love our brothers and sisters across the pond, thanks for supporting us!

Scott, Salford (08/06/2004 at 16:17)

I think is is absolutely pathetis. Why cant we be patriotic about our country for a small time. If it was up to me we would be like this all the time. All it is is a load of pen pushing tossers who need things to "nitpick" about. Why dont they sort the real problems out in manchester. Fly your flags for England boys dont listen to them arseholes

stonie, audenshaw (08/06/2004 at 16:32)

it just sums up the way this country is heading,let people make up their own minds and not dictated to by some do good council who do not have the mass majority,s interests at heart.....

Mark, London (08/06/2004 at 16:58)

I am sick of this. Please let us have a say in what we as a country wants. If we want it let it be. Fly the flag and feel good about it. We are one and it is only the government that want us to fight!!!

Joe, Radcliffe (08/06/2004 at 17:20)

In reply to Tom Swade, the flag of St George is part of the union flag. It is not far right or left. It is our ENGLAND emblem, end of story, or should we remove it from the union flag just in case.

Jim Fie, Durham, NC USA (08/06/2004 at 17:48)

Not just yes, but HELL YES! For crying out loud, all they want to do is show support for the country's SOCCER TEAM! What's wrong with that?

I could understand all of this if it was coming from Frankfurt Germany, about cabbies wanting to fly a swastika, but this? Come ON, people.

Outraged, Chorlton (08/06/2004 at 18:06)

It is getting to sound like the patients have taken over the asylum in this country, yet again another ludicrous ban that tries to stop the promotion of our national flag! If they say it distracts other drivers then when are they going to ban all adverts on the sides of taxis,trucks, buses and other company vehicles? You only glance at a flag but you are being encouraged to read an advert?
I will be going out tomorrow and buying at least 2 flags and flying them with the pride that we all should have the freedom to display. After all, after the celebrations this weekend in France, isn't it just that cause which we fought so hard to preserve?

Zorro, Rochdale (08/06/2004 at 18:26)

I live in Rochdale along side these morons,
Get me F**k out of here.

Tom, N.Y. (08/06/2004 at 18:27)

Fly the flag and -------- to the council. We are not patriotic enough in England. We are even hesitant to fly the union jack nowadays because it is more associated with the N.F. Support the team, support the country, fly it with pride. (Then when it's all over, we know where we can stick the flags then), council members beware.
Tom ex pat N.Y.

Tom, N.Y. (08/06/2004 at 18:39)

Mr Swade, where is your head in this form of thinking? Exactly the point, because a minority may feel it's association with the St Georges cross is with the far right. Is more the reason why we should not think your way. Show that the flag is not for the minority of extremists thugs, and show what true national pride is. Wave the flag boys and be proud of our team and our nation.
Tom N.Y.

Paul, Reddish,Stockport (08/06/2004 at 18:53)

I have just returned from the U.S.A. Every 1 in 20 houses fly unashamebly the Stars and stripes ... We are made to feal we can't be patriotic in our own country to many times ... Now at last we have an excuse, we should be aloud to fly our flag with pride from were ever we damn well please as long as its safe.And I for one would go to jail before I lower my flag,for anyone...

stonie, audenshaw (08/06/2004 at 18:58)

mr tom swade you are pathetic,the far right would exist with or without a flag so get agrip on reality and get behind your country if not shut up

Stephen Morris, Bury (08/06/2004 at 19:05)

I have the right to fly the flag of my country in my country and if anyone tells me otherwise better stand back as i would treat them as a foreign aggressor and defend my country with all force necassary

john coxon, Pendlebury (08/06/2004 at 19:18)

I simply can't agree with Tom's view that those councils should be congratulated. This is a huge national outburst of public pride and the sheer scale of it strongly suggests to me that the flag of St.George has been finally wrenched from the hands of that hideous hooligan racist minority who have abused it for too long and let's applaud that.

Davy C, Atlanta,Georgia (08/06/2004 at 19:28)

Someone made the comment that the English flag is "too commonly associated with the far right". What a big pile that is. It is the national flag. Fly it. It is national pride. Is national pride right wing? Let patriotism never die.

Sue, Salford (08/06/2004 at 20:29)

I take it that during the forthcoming elections, the current council incumbents will be "proud to be English". Hopefully enough people will have voted to remove these idiots from power.

By the way, aren't they commiting an act of treason by denouncing the flag?

Chris, Whitefield, Manchester (08/06/2004 at 21:30)

We should be proud of our country, every single one of us, be they black, white or whatever and flying the flag of St George is a sign of that pride. We supposedly live in a democratic country with freedom of speech and expression. Therefore not even the politically correct brigade, like Tom Swade of Rusholme, should be able to take our love for our country away. This week we have seen how the gallant men who gave their lives on D-Day fought for our rights and having the right to fly our national flag is one them.

Suzanne Maloney, Droylsden Manchester (08/06/2004 at 22:02)

This is now laughable, we have 3 cars in our house all flying the flag and have been since the lads played at the staduim the other day.
If we can not show our support for our national team by flying a flag either from our cars or our homes then how else can we show them we're behind them, are we going ot banned from wearing England shirts next?
All this PC stuff is getting way out of hand, everyone is aware that we are supporting a football team not some political party.
Keep flying your flags and let them try and stop us.

B Colley, St Helens (08/06/2004 at 22:36)

Regarding the flying of flags; If the flag does not interfere with the control or visibility of the driver and as long as passengers do not mind, then it should be allowed.
It is apparently illegal in this country to fly the union flag (jack)except from public buildings.In case it upsets ethnic people, so that means that I cannot fly the flag outside my house!
Imagine if that was the case in the USA, as everyone knows they are proud to fly their flag in schools restaurants or from their own yard if they so choose.
And they have a bigger race mix than in this country.
PC gone mad, or was George Orwell right?

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