The official line is that there will be no change.

They combined England (red crusader cross on white) and Scotland (adds blue and St.Andrews cross) at the Act of Union. Wales was never represented but Ireland (red diagonal cross) was added in 1803. Ireland was never modified or removed when Ulster and the Republic were split in 1922. The Irish Tricolour and Ulster Flag did change though. No particular logic and if they removed Scotland and added Cornwall you could also get requests for a Yorkshire Rose, Westminster Portcullis, Welsh Dragon, Leeks, feathers, Sony logo and goodness knows what else to go on.

I imagine Scotland would just not use it which would make sense.

Andy

The politicians would say that right now, but later next year ...........?

I can't see many English accepting a flag that includes a lot of blue Saltire if the vote goes for independance for Scotland.
IMO, the flag would have to change, and quickly.

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Dave

Excellent point. If you have a flag that the people it is supposed to represent dislike or dont want to represented by that flag, its a major problem. If the remainder of the UK in general, after a Scottish independence vote, no longer chooses to acknowledge the old flag, then it no longer represents them or their interests.

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I don`t had put the swiss flag on the car, to avoid that the locals think we are from the red cross or an doctor

But after the trip we did this:





We hope that they don't look that surprised when we drive through checkpoint just saying "diplomatic" Now we wait for the timeframe for the next trip (what is very hard)...

Surfy

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About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

Sure thing.
Throughout history, peoples have rallied to flags, soldiers have fought, and died, to defend the colours, etc etc.

In demonstrations around the world flags are burnt in order to make a statement, which is as good a reason as any for travellers to be aware of what it is that they are displaying.
There are other symbols of course, such as music; here in Britain, the authorities used to ban the playing of bagpipes (I think they were considered to be a weapon) and the wearing of the kilt.

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Dave

Confusion is rife regardless.

People in southern England will ask if my white rose with YORKSHIRE written underneath is from Lancashire (theirs is red). Maybe now they've dug Dirty Dick out from under that carpark in Leicester I'll get this less but I doubt it.

If you feel the urge to learn basic Scouse ask the owner of a Liverpool shirt if he likes Manchester United (both red).

New Zealanders love that their red stars get confused with the Australian white ones.

You either want those conversations and wear the badge or don't IMHO.

Andy

I personally wouldn't worry about what flag you display or not. In the places you visit the locals, if they "get your country wrong", they're either uneducated/ stupid/ just want to start a conversation (ideally the first or 3rd option) that whatever stickers you display make no difference.

In Ethiopia they thought I was French, in South America: German and in the US: Australian (all three non Engish speaking regions...), despite a union flag and a GB sticker on the bike.

If someone wants to do you harm, whatever sticker/no sticker will not make the slightest bit of difference. If AQ are going to kidnap you in Mali, then having a UK/US/Israeli passport will be very hazardous. Think of the poor Edwin Dyer who was in an Austrian tour group, spoke Austrian-German but carried a UK passport.

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TBS.com

I just cracked the following route this year with a Union jack on the Left side of my fuel tank, a union jack and GB sticker on the right side of my fuel tank and on my rear number plate instead of the "EU" logo i had a small union jack

1-England
2-France
3-Belgium
4-Luxembourg
5-France
6-Germany
7-Czech Republic
8-Slovakia (Tatras mountains)
9-Poland
10-Ukraine (Carpathian mountains)
11-Romania (Carpathian mountains)
12-Republic of Moldova
13-Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR)
14-Ukraine
15-Russia

Russian Caucasus Republics
16-The Republic of Adygea
17-The Republic of North Ossetia
18-The Republic of Ingushetia
19-The Republic of Chechnya

20-Georgia
21-Kazakhstan
22-Kyrgyzstan
23-Tajikistan

The following Russian republics had these travel warnings (So dont belive most travel warnings you read and mainly follow local advice on current information/situations regarding areas you want to travel to and if it is safe to do so)

The Republic of Ingushetia
WARNING: Ingushtetia is presently a war zone is most emphatically NOT a tourist destination. Visitors are in fear of murders and kidnappings by government forces, high-profile crimes, periodic civil disorders and bombings. Travellers should consult to their embassy and request expert information before travelling to the region.


The Republic of Chechnya
WARNING Chechnya is most emphatically not a tourist destination and not safe for independent travel or sightseeing. Most foreign governments advise against non-essential travel. Those visiting for business, research, or international aid purposes should consult with their organization and seek expert guidance before planning a trip.



I agree with what Chris says "If someone wants to do you harm, whatever sticker/no sticker will not make the slightest bit of difference"

Once you leave Europe a over-lander stands out as a foreigner regardless of sticker or not.

I think people in general judge you for who you are when they talk to you, with the likes of me being from the UK i have a union jack on my bike but this is just to show where i have traveled from and does not mean i am putting it there because i agree to all my government's policies ect ect

I never had no issues with regards to the the stickers i had on and if anything putting the stickers on worked in my favor as it was a talking point and on numerous times i was invited back to peoples houses to stay over or for dinner. in Chechnya they saw i was from the UK due to my stickers and i even got invited to the famous mosque in the capital Grozny (largest in Europe)

Basically you have to ask your self this....... if you are afraid to put a flag of the country you from on your bike then should you really be travelling in that country in the first place??


Unless you are going to the likes of Afghanistan, Iraq, the areas in Syria (where the non Syrian "rebels" are operating), Somalia, Algeria, Libya and other such like countries which have some slight problems then maybe putting a flag is not such a good idea......

Below are pictures of my bike on my trip and also the famous mosque in the capital Grozny,Chechnya i was invited to