Barking and Dagenham Council has nailed its colours to the mast by flying a Scottish flag over Dagenham Civic Centre.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Cllr Darren Rodwell, pictured after taking part in the ice bucket challenge for charity, said he wanted Scotland to stay in the UKCllr Darren Rodwell, pictured after taking part in the ice bucket challenge for charity, said he wanted Scotland to stay in the UK (Image: Archant)

Speaking to the Post today, leader Cllr Darren Rodwell echoed Ed Miliband’s plea for Scotland to vote “no” to independence in next week’s referendum.

“I want them to stay,” he said. “We are the union – we are the United Kingdom.

“My mother-in-law is Scottish and I have a number of Scottish friends, and it’s great that actually we are one.

“If we start breaking down our differences, how far do you want to go? Back to Saxon England, when there were 16 kingdoms?

“I would hope and pray friends in Scotland realise it’s not in their best financial and economic interests to split the union. It’s been made very clear by the IMF [International Monetary Fund] and Europe that it wouldn’t be beneficial to them as residents.

“Braveheart aside, we need to be facing reality.”

As well as the Saltire flying above the Civic Centre, at the junction of Wood Lane and Rainham Road North, Barking Town Hall will fly its own Scottish flag – once staff can find one that fits the flagpole.

“We’re trying to acquire one at the moment,” Cllr Rodwell said.

“We want to show solidarity with the union.”

Scotland’s four million voters will head to the polls on Thursday next week to decide whether to separate from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Labour Party leader this week called for councils across Britain to fly the Saltire “to send a very clear message to the people of Scotland: please stay with us because we believe we are stronger together”.

Neighbouring Redbridge Council yesterday said it would hoist the blue and white flag as soon as it could “procure” one.

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