Union Jack-style Great British Railways branding at major Glasgow station angers Scottish government officials

[Djgr]

So using votes for another purpose as a proxy for independence is unreliable. Better then to use the opinion polls. For which the average pro-independence percentage has been sub-50% since 2014 and the last referendum.

Not strictly true if you take out the Don't Knows

 

[Falcon1200]

For which the average pro-independence percentage has been sub-50% since 2014 and the last referendum.

What people say in Opinion Polls, which have no effect on anything whatsoever, compared to a real vote with, especially in the case of Indyref, massive and lasting implications, may not be the same thing - Wasn't the No vote in 2014 greater than the polls had predicted?

 

[Djgr]

What people say in Opinion Polls, which have no effect on anything whatsoever, compared to a real vote with, especially in the case of Indyref, massive and lasting implications, may not be the same thing - Wasn't the No vote in 2014 greater than the polls had predicted?

Of course that was all before Brexit, Maynot, BoJo, Lettuce Liz and Rishi "Eat out to help the virus".

 

[JamieL]

I'm both Scottish and British. Why should one of my countries flags be hidden for the sake of a few nutters with a massive chips on their shoulders?

Perhaps to promote an inclusive environment sensitive to the whole populace? Less can be so much more. The Union should stand on its record, not on the imposition of branding.

 

[Davester50]

Perhaps to promote an inclusive environment sensitive to the whole populace? Less can be so much more. The Union should stand on its record, not on the imposition of branding.

So censorship because a few eejits get upset by a fleg?
That's how the country turns in to NI. No thanks.

 

[Belperpete]

But it is seen by many, nonetheless, as a symbol of English dominance. (And it doesn't represent all nations: Wales isn't included). I just happen to think that the Union Jack style branding (and the name) of GBR is a sop to the rabid English nationalists of the far right.

Exactly. The Union Jack is a symbol of the Union, which for many in Scotland and Wales is a symbol of the ongoing English suppression of Scots and Welsh language and culture. The Union Jack is as provocactive as the EU flag was to many in England prior to Brexit.

The naming of GBR is itself a symbol of gross insensitivity by the Westminster government, as a raspberry to Scots and Welsh intents to run their own services.

The Union flag flies alongside the Red Dragon at Cardiff Central, and the BR house flag flies next to the TfW flag. This hasn't yet reached the press...

The critical word there is alongside.

If GBR had any sense or sensitivity, they would come up with versions of their branding that gave equal prominence to the Scots and Welsh flags. Many national retailers, such as Tesco, Aldi and Lidl manage to do that. I still have a Tesco bag with the Saltaire prominently printed on it. And even though Aldi and Lidl are German retailers, their promotional material isn't plastered with German flags, rather Union Jacks in England, and the Saltaire and the Dragon in Scotland and Wales.

 

[AlterEgo]

If GBR had any sense or sensitivity, they would come up with versions of their branding that gave equal prominence to the Scots and Welsh flags.

Why, when it will not assume the operarions of either national TOC there? I don't much like the GBR branding but I don't understand this suggestion.

 

[Davester50]

Exactly. The Union Jack is a symbol of the Union, which for many in Scotland and Wales is a symbol of the ongoing English suppression of Scots and Welsh language and culture.

So suppress other's culture instead then? Hmm.

The critical word there is alongside.

Yes, it is.

Many national retailers, such as Tesco, Aldi and Lidl manage to do that. I still have a Tesco bag with the Saltaire prominently printed on it. And even though Aldi and Lidl are German retailers, their promotional material isn't plastered with German flags, rather Union Jacks in England, and the Saltaire and the Dragon in Scotland and Wales.

Oh, so it's not alongside. It's removed, and replaced.

 

[Falcon1200]

Of course that was all before Brexit, Maynot, BoJo, Lettuce Liz and Rishi "Eat out to help the virus".

But despite all that the separatists still cannot win more than 50% of votes in the polls that count!

 

[alxndr]

Regardless of the politics it’s very poor to cover someone else’s property with stickers. And I don’t think the politics can be ignored when the stickers are a symbol of a union which still brings out a lot of debate, and over half the residents of the city voted against in the last referendum.

 

[Yew]

Perhaps to promote an inclusive environment sensitive to the whole populace? Less can be so much more. The Union should stand on its record, not on the imposition of branding.

Suggesting that using the flag that is more exclusive is an inclusive gesture is an odd take.

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Regardless of the politics it’s very poor to cover someone else’s property with stickers.

Is it someone elses property?

 

[Djgr]

But despite all that the separatists still cannot win more than 50% of votes in the polls that count!

although there is a very marked difference by age group

 

[AlterEgo]

Is it someone elses property?

No, it all belongs to and will still belong to Network Rail but don't let that get in the way of a good moan.