Flag move is a denial of rights

The decision of Telford & Wrekin cabinet members to limit the flying of the European Union flag to one day per year is nothing less than a short-sighted act of political vandalism.

Our cabinet members have undermined any legitimate expectation that all our citizens will enjoy their rights, and will in turn exercise their duties and responsibilities of citizenship.

They have achieved this through their action of denying the importance of the European flag, which effectively says aspects of being a citizen are no longer important or are only worthy of selective consideration - In this case our proud proclamation of membership of the European Union.

I am a citizen of Telford & Wrekin by right of residence gained in 2001. I am a citizen of England by right of birth in 1951. I am a citizen of Great Britain/the UK by right of the Act of Union of 1707, and 1801, when Ireland joined the union.

I am a citizen of Europe by right of the United Kingdom joining the then EEC, now the European Union, in 1973.

My local council does not have the right to deny me membership of any one of these. I am proud to be a citizen of Europe.

It is not encouraging to see our relatively new cabinet appear to fall at an early hurdle. The excuse from Councillor Eade that this is "national policy" bringing us "into line with other areas of the country" is laughable.

They wouldn't happen to be Conservative led as well, would they?

Telford & Wrekin is a four star authority, for goodness sake. We should be leading by example, setting the trends for others to follow.

Instead we are acting like lemmings jumping off a cliff.

Who challenged the limited vision of this decision?

Michael Carey, Hollinswood