Rye will not lowerflag for Maggie

RYE councillors voted against flying the Union flag at half- mast for Baroness Thatcher’s funeral this week.

Conservative councillor Keith Glazier had asked Rye Town Council to lower the flag on top of the Town Hall on Wednesday. Rother Council and Hastings Borough Council had already agreed to fly flags at half-mast.

Cllr Glazier pointed to guidance from the College of Arms saying councils ‘should’ do this. But councillors said this was only guidance. Instead, the Council removed the flag entirely. Town Clerk Richard Farhall commented: “Whilst the Council considers it appropriate to mark nationally significant occasions associated with the Monarch, the position of Prime Minister is a political appointment. Councillors consider that, on balance, removing the flag demonstrates that the Council is aware of the significance of the funeral, whilst not formally recognising it.”

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