British flag on number plates ‘will split Scots’

Plan shows No 10 is out of touch, says historian
Professor Sir Tom Devine said that the plan to put the flag on number plates could undermine efforts to preserve the Union
Professor Sir Tom Devine said that the plan to put the flag on number plates could undermine efforts to preserve the Union
ALAMY

Plans to emblazon all new UK number plates with Union flags are provocative and a demonstration of how out of touch Downing Street is with popular opinion in Scotland, the country’s pre-eminent historian has claimed.

This week Grant Shapps, the UK transport secretary, confirmed that the British flag would feature on new registration plates and driving licences for the first time.

However, Sir Tom Devine, the author and historian, predicted that it would prove divisive north of the border where, in the present “frenetic political atmosphere”, this kind of symbolism could undermine efforts to preserve the Union.

“Fifty years ago this would not have been in any way objectionable,” he said. “But times have changed and many people in Scotland, and an increasing number of