Cllr Robert Alden deputy leader of the Birmingham City Council Conservative group, has written to the Leader of Birmingham City Council Sir Albert Bore to call for a reversal of the decision to not fly the flag at half mast for Baroness Thatchers funeral. Robert said "whichever Prime Minister had passed away the Council should be respecting the funeral by flying the flag at half mast. If by doing so the Council sets precedent what is wrong with that, it does not cost the Council any money and should be done for all Prime Ministers. This whole saga is damaging the City's reputation nationally and we should correct it ASAP by agreeing to fly the Councils flags at half mast". The letter to Sir Albert in full:- Dear Sir Albert,
I know like me you are a man who has taken a key interest in protecting the traditions of the City Council and upholding the spirit with which democracy should work away from the election battlefield.
It was therefore with great disappointment that I listened to your words in the Chamber yesterday about why we should not lower the City Council’s flags across the City to half mast next week for the funeral of former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher. The argument put forward was this is something Birmingham does not do traditionally and you would not like to set a precedent. Of course at the meeting it was highlighted that the Labour Council in the 1990’s felt it was right to lower the flag for the passing of the leader of the opposition John Smith. So clearly a precedent has already been set.
I have been left very saddened by this attitude. Personally as much as I like to maintain our traditions, if we start a new one where we actually show our respect for the passing of this Country’s Prime Ministers I do not think that is a bad precedent to set.
I am sure we would disagree in our views of what Margaret Thatcher achieved for our nation during her time in office and this is not the place to debate that. However suffice to say before Margaret Thatcher, people questioned if we would ever have a female Prime Minister. After Margaret Thatcher, so strong was her presence, some children of my generation grew up thinking the Prime Minister could only be a woman. Indeed in a poll in the Sun newspaper this morning Baroness Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister was rated are best Post War Prime Minister. The point is I doubt there are many politicians who everyone agrees with or whom anyone agrees with everything they did. However we can all agree when someone has led our Country they deserve respect upon passing away.
Whatever ones views of Margaret Thatcher, that misses the point of why the Council should lower its flags to half mast on the day of her funeral. This should be done because it is the right thing to do for any Prime Minister who has served this Country and passed away. It would be the right and respectful thing to do whichever Prime Ministers funeral it was.
Birmingham was once known as the centre of municipal Government. Respected around the world. Next Wednesday around the Country we will see Belfast Council lower its flags, Government buildings lower their flags, District Councils lower their flags, Embassy’s around the globe have lowered their flags. The Scottish Government is lowering its flags as well. Companies like JCB half lowered their flag to half mast. The point of all of this is Birmingham is being shown on a national scene to be unable to pay due respect to a passing Prime Minister, with a message that costs the Council nothing. Instead while the Country pays its respects, Birmingham City Council is choosing to play political games.
This behaviour is damaging Birmingham reputation. Therefore I ask, if we take your word that it sets a precedent not previously done, let’s set a precedent next Wednesday and ensure in future when a former Prime Minister of this nation passes away then all the Council’s flags in this city will be flown at half mast. So Birmingham shows respect to any former Prime Minister passing away.
Yours respectfully
Robert