Council refuses to fly flag at half mast for Maggie

THERE are no plans for Ealing Council to lower the flag at Ealing Town Hall or observe a minute’s silence, in tribute to former Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

Council leader Julian Bell confirmed the authority would not be holding its own events to mark Lady Thatcher’s death following requests by David Millican, Conservative leader at Ealing.

Mr Millican said: “Despite my several requests, flags are still not being flown at half mast over Ealing Town Hall.

“This is a shameful lack of respect for the life of Lady Thatcher. Flags are being flown at half mast over Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street and British embassies around the world, yet not Ealing Town Hall.

“Parliament has been specially recalled to enable MPs to show their respects; and Her Majesty the Queen is showing her respects by attending the funeral next week, so I hope that the Mayor of Ealing will accede to my request to permit a minute’s silence at the start of next Tuesday’s full council meeting.”

Mr Bell said: “My sympathies go to Baroness Thatcher’s children and grandchildren at this time. Baroness Thatcher’s legacy will live on for many years to come. She was a huge political figure with a considerable legacy and in local government we are still feeling the effects of her decision to centralise many of our functions.

“Coming from Sheffield, I saw the impact of many of her policies first hand; she changed the UK for ever and she will never be forgotten by her opponents or her supporters.

“There are no plans to commemorate Baroness Thatcher through lowering the town hall flag or a minute’s silence at the council meeting. In the past we have not honoured ex-prime ministers when they have died and she had no specific connection to the borough and her funeral will not be a state funeral. I feel that the national events are more appropriate.”

Gary Malcolm, Lib Dem leader at Ealing, said: “Lowering the town hall flag or having a minute’s silence at the next council meeting would not be appropriate given the lack of local connection with Ealing. Also previous ex-prime ministers have not been honoured when they have passed away. I think that the nationally publicised funeral would be the more appropriate method for people to reflect on her death.”