Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has warned that the Unionists of Belfast should prepare themselves for further imposition of Irish nationalism and republicanism within the City Hall and Council facilities.
Mr Elliott, who is the Party’s Environment spokesperson, said:
“Last night’s decision to restrict the flying of the Union Flag from Belfast City Hall to only designated days and to remove the Flag altogether from the Ulster Hall and Duncrue Depot is just a sign of things to come for Unionists.
“People should not think that Sinn Fein and their fellow travellers will stop here in their campaign to remove any sign of Unionism and Britishness and to increase the presence of Irish nationalism and republicanism within our capital city’s public buildings.
“Less than ten years ago Fermanagh Council voted to remove the Union Flag from Enniskillen Town hall and also the removal of all symbols, plaques and memorabilia that showed any sign of Britishness. They said this was to make the Council a more neutral and shared space.
“In the past few months nationalists and republicans in Fermanagh District Council have banded together again to impose a decision of having Irish writing on Council vehicles and Irish on the Council headed paper.
“Instead of having the Council now as a neutral and shared place it is now becoming an area hostile to Unionism and Britishness and entirely pro-Irish Nationalism and Republicanism.
"This campaign was also reflected in last night's decision by Sinn Fein and most of the SDLP councillors in Newry & Mourne Council to name a children's playpark after an IRA terrorist, Raymond McCreesh.
“So the Unionists of Belfast must beware!
“Of course there has been the option for a resolution to this matter through the Reform of local Government and the redefining of the boundaries of Belfast to reflect the modern City. This could and should have seen areas which form the City’s natural hinterland such as Dundonald, Castlereagh and Newtownabbey being included within the proposed boundaries of the new City Council.
“I have warned for some time of the dangers for Belfast in the Reform of Local Government. The proposal does not reflect the boundaries of what is now the greater Belfast area.
“It is unfortunate that Arlene Foster - who brought these local government proposals forward - and her Party Leader Peter Robinson – who supported them - would not listen to the Ulster Unionist concerns on the matter. We have warned of these issues since 2008 and have voted against the proposals at every stage but have been ignored by the DUP.
“Peter Robinson and the DUP may have been successful in becoming the largest Party in Unionism, but it is a hollow victory if in their process they have weakened Unionism, particularly in our capital city of Belfast to such an extent that our Unionism and Britishness is being eroded to the level that it now is.
“If actions like last night’s decision in Belfast City Hall is a sign of what Peter Robinson believes as ‘nationalism in crisis’ then I ask what is the state of unionism under Mr Robinson when we cannot even fly the Flag over City Hall?”