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Exclusive: Ministers are preparing celebrations for 31 January but are wary of alienating Remainers
Sunday, 12th January 2020, 8:30 pm
The Government is set to encourage councils and community groups to fly the Union flag to celebrate Brexit on 31 January.
Ministers are preparing a package of announcements to mark the moment Britain leaves the EU at the end of this month, which could include a commemorative coin and Big Ben ringing out.
One of the items is likely to be a fund from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to help local councils and other groups buy and display the Union flag, i understands. A Westminster source said: “It’s prompted by Brexit but is also meant to celebrate national identity more broadly.”
The move has been promoted by senior Tory backbencher Sir John Hayes, who said in the House of Commons last week that flying the UK flag from public buildings “would be a fitting tribute to the decision the British people made to leave the European Union”. Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay replied: “Any opportunity to do so is one that he and I would always celebrate.”
Big Ben bongs
Strident Brexiteer Mark Francois is leading efforts to get the bell restarted. Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has said he would back the scheme as long as MPs voted in favour, while pro-Brexit businessman Lord Ashcroft has offered to foot the £120,000 cost.
A Downing Street spokesman insisted that no final decisions had been made on how 31 January will be marked. Some in the Government are nervous about holding too many flashy events in case it alienates people who voted Remain.
Brexit celebration
The original date on which Britain was scheduled to leave the EU, 29 March 2019, saw two rallies outside the House of Parliament – one featuring mainstream politicians and the other organised by the far right and starring Tommy Robinson, which ended up with clashes between police and protesters.
Commemorative coins
The Treasury is expected to announce it will mint a commemorative coin to mark 31 January. It would be the third time the Royal Mint, overseen by the Chancellor, has announced a special Brexit coin.
First Philip Hammond promised a souvenir £10 coin, with 10,000 copies due to be minted in time for 29 March before the first delay to Brexit.
Next his predecessor Sajid Javid ordered the Mint to work on a 50p piece to go into mass circulation, bearing the motto “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” alongside the revised Brexit date of 31 October.
After Britain’s departure was postponed again, thousands of the coins had to be melted down – any which survived would be hugely valuable to collectors. Some Brexit supporters have called on the Royal Mail to follow suit by producing a set of commemorative stamps, but the company has refused.
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