COUNCILLORS unfurled the flag of Yorkshire in the council chamber when they repeated a call for it to be flown over local authority buildings in place of the European Union flag.

Both Steve Kay and Tristan Learoyd, both members of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, raised the issue of council returning to its North Yorkshire roots during members’ questions at the Borough Council meeting today (Thursday, December 18).

Cllr Kay, who represents the Lockwood ward in east Cleveland, questioned the need to forge closer ties with other Tees Valley Authorities when they council should focus on realigning itself with the white rose of Yorkshire.

Unfurling the flag, he said: “In June, I suggested you take down the European flag outside this Civic Centre and replace it with the flag of Yorkshire. I asked this because the Euro elections had proved just how much the EU is detested throughout this borough.

“On the other hand, we all know that Yorkshire; a veritable economic and cultural powerhouse of international renown. Under the Yorkshire flag we can move forward to real prosperity and contentment.”

Council leader George Dunning said: “If Cllr Kay wants to see the Yorkshire flag flying he should visit the City Learning Centre where he will see the flag already flying.”

While Cllr Learoyd draped himself in the flag before saying: “Rather than spending officer and councillor time discussing a ‘Super Tees Authority’ shouldn’t the council be focusing on returning the coastal and rural communities of Guisborough, Marske, Redcar, Saltburn and east Cleveland to North Yorkshire local authority control – where they geographically, historically and rightfully belong?”

Cllr Dunning simply answered no.