I've just written an email to the UCI (the cycling regulator, not the cinema company) about the Tour of Britain ...
Hi,
I have been informed by the organisers and sponsors (mainly English) of the
UCI rules forbid it. Is this correct? If it is, could you please explain
to me why Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are permitted to compete in
their own national team while the English riders have to compete in the
British team.
In case you are not aware, let me explain to you which countries constitute
Great Britain. They are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
England comprises 5/6ths of the population of Great Britain.
As Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all compete in their own national
teams, that leaves only English riders to make up the British team. It
would therefore make perfect sense to do away with the British team and have
an English team instead. At the moment, the English riders are representing
not only themselves but their opponents as well. This is a ridiculous
situation and should be addressed immediately.
The UCI is clearly discriminating against English people by not allowing an
English cycling team. I believe that this policy constitutes a breach of
international human rights laws on freedom of expression. By not allowing
an English team, you are not allowing English riders to compete under their
own banner which I believe is a right protected by international law.
I look forward to your prompt reply.
Stuart
Cross of St George have this very interesting thread on their forums.
A local authority has threatened a woman with legal action if she doesn't remove her English flag from her house citing advertising regulations. My research has shown that this simply isn't true. International laws on human Rights protect your right to fly your national flag and/or symbols. Also, national flags are exempt from the advertising regulations (part of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990).
Sources are as follows:
http://www.papuaweb.org/dlib/lap/sullivan/en/symbols.rtf
http://www.andrewgeorge.org.uk/press/504.htm
The relevant parts are as follows:
International Law
The display of a regional flag, flag-raising ceremonies and the singing, in public, of a regional anthem are elements of the freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly according to international human rights law.
In correspondence to his Liberal Democrat Parliamentary colleague, Paul Tyler MP, the Planning Minister, Rt. Hon Keith Hill MP, has said that, “Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, flags come within the definition of ‘advertisement’…However,…the national flag of any country is exempt from advertisement control provided…it does not have anything added to the design of the flag or any advertising material added to the flagstaff. We are currently amending the Regulations to exempt from control national flags however they are flown from a flagstaff.
“The Cross of St George is England’s national flag and is therefore exempt from control…However, individual saint’s flags which are not also national flags requires prior consent from the local planning authority before they can be flown.”
If anyone knows how to contact this woman, please point her in the direction of this information. If the local authority in question sets a precedent for this law controlling the display of national flags it will make it easier for petty little Hitler's all over the country to do the same.