PRIME Minister Theresa May congratulated the young designer of the Black Country flag in Parliament this morning (Wednesday) following accusations its imagery has racist connotations.
The flag has been the subject of much debate over the last few days after Wolverhampton South West Labour MP Eleanor Smith highlighted concerns she said constituents had raised about the image of a chain being used on the flag because of its historical association with the slave trade.
She denies branding it ‘racist’ and calling for it to be ditched but she said she felt “uneasy” about the flag - designed by Stourbridge schoolgirl Gracie Sheppard - becoming the brand for the Black Country as its depiction of chains on a black, red and white background reflect the area’s past rather than present.
But her comments sparked outrage from proud Black Country folk and prompted Dudley South Conservative MP Mike Wood to reference the matter in Parliament.
He said: “The Black Country flag has come under attack from the other side of this chamber in recent days, will the Prime Minister join me in again congratulating Gracie Sheppard who designed the flag when she was just 12 years old - reflecting our industrial heritage?”
Prime Minister Theresa May promptly congratulated Gracie (pictured below) on designing the flag five years ago at the tender age of 12 and she said: “I’m sure she and others have been surprised at the attitude from the benches opposite on this particular issue and I commend my honourable friend and other honourable friends in the Black Country for the work they are doing to promote the Black Country.”
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