Liberal Democrat councillors voiced their disapproval at Alsager Town Council following in the government's footsteps and flying the Union Jack flag all year round.

The Government via the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) issued an update to their own flag flying protocol on 24 March 2021, to allow the Union Jack flag to be flown all year round, unless another flag is being flown, such as another national flag of the UK, or a county flag, or other flags to mark civic pride.

Cllr Sue Helliwell requested that Alsager Town Council followed in the government's footsteps and that their Union Jack flag was flown all year round from the flagpole on green outside Alsager Civic unless another flag is flown.

Cllr Helliwell's request was discussed at Tuesday's Alsager Town Council meeting of the Finance, Policy and Governance Committee.

Nicola Clarke, town clerk of Alsager Town Council, highlighted that the council currently only had three flags - the Union Jack, Commonwealth and Pride/Rainbow flags.

Cllr Derek Hough, of the Liberal Democrats, said: "I am proud, always have been, always will be, but to fly the Union Jack flag every day on the recommendation of Oliver Dowden and Robert Jenrick doesn't add to my pride.

"I would not support this if it were not compulsory."

The Liberal Democrat councillor queried whether there would be any sanctions forthcoming from government if the town council voted against adopting the policy.

Mrs Clarke said: "There would be no sanctions, it is just something the government have updated."

Cllr Michael Unett, chair of Alsager Town Council, told the committee that it was purely down to local town and parish councils' discretion whether they wanted to fly the flag every day or not.

Cllr Hough added: "It is a flag of pride; however, I feel it has been hijacked by the politicians in the government."

Cllr Rod Fletcher, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: "Personally, I cannot vote against this because we want to fly the rainbow flag and to be seen to voting against it, is technically as it stands voting against flying the rainbow flag.

"To me the whole thing is a bit wishy washy. I'm not happy about how it has come to pass, but I cannot vote against it."

Cllr Helliwell highlighted that the new policy would not have an impact on the town council flying the pride flag.

Cllr Unett had no objection to the Union Jack flag being flown more than it is currently, but he suggested that the town council considered purchasing a St George's Flag.

The chair of the town council felt the difference in cost flying the Union Jack flag all year round would have a big bearing on the decision to change the town council's flag flying protocol or not.

He also highlighted that if the Union Flag were flown continuously there could be a need to budget for a separate summer and winter flag in the 2022-23 budget as the flag could soon look worn.

Cllr Ron Tyson, also of the Liberal Democrats, said: "I am against this. Boris Johnson has caused all sorts of problems with Covid-19, we have created a divided nation I'm afraid.

"It will take some time to unite it again."

Councillors agreed to recommend to full council amendments to the flag flying protocol adopted by the town council as requested by Cllr Helliwell.