Plans by the UK Government to feature the union flag on driving licences have been met with Welsh opposition.
Last month, UK Transport Minister Claire Perry announced that every new photocard licence issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will feature the UK flag in addition to the current European Union flag.
The changes will apply to motorists in England, Scotland and Wales and, according to the UK Government, will provide road users with a symbolic sign of their national identity.
Ms Perry said: “People in this country rightly take pride in our national flag which is why I am delighted it will now be displayed on British driving licences.
“Celebrating Britain strengthens our sense of national identity and our unity. I will feel proud to carry my new licence and I hope others will too.”
But the plan has already been met with opposition from Welsh motorists and Plaid Cymru.
The Party of Wales has labelled the inclusion of the union flag on licences as “insensitive”.
Plaid Cymru’s parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd said: “It’s going to create dissent, I’m afraid, and it seems to be a retrograde step.”
The MP said he would not be very happy if he saw the union flag on his licence and suggested that arrangements should be made for national flags to be displayed.
He said: “It is going to lead to some friction, I’m afraid. It is insensitive.”
An online petition set up against the plans has already attracted 3,000 names.
The inclusion of union flags on licences is one of a number of changes being made for motorists.
In October last year, the DVLA announced a drop in licence fees for those who apply online and also abolished the paper tax disc.
From June 8 this year, the paper counterpart of the photocard licence will no longer be required.
The European Union flag has been displayed on full driving licences since photocards first came into use in July 1998. More than 127 million photocard licences have been issued since they were introduced.
Good! Britain is best.