Trefor, before addressing your latest series of arguments, I thought it wise to remind you of what exactly is the Union flag.

It is, strictly and legally speaking, the flag of the government and navy of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1606 to resolve the problem of one king with two navies, each with different flags. Later, under Queen Anne its use was extended to use on land (the army) and, under George III, it was modified in form to include Ireland and to extend the use of the flag by merchant vessels. It is not, in any way, shape, or form, a "national flag" in the same sense that the flag of the United States is a national flag.

Notwithstanding the whinging and parsing of emotional argument, Scotland has a flag. England has a flag. Historically Ireland had a flag. For purposes of maritime convenience these three flags were combined into a single "navy" flag. End of message and get over it.

Englishmen still have a flag (cross of St. George); Scotsmen still have a flag (cross of St. Andrew); Irish men still have a flag (cross of St. Patrick-- the tricolour is a "governmental and naval" flag); Welshmen still have a flag (take your pick-- Henry Tudor's personal livery banner; the quartered lions passant flag; the cross of St. David).

Nobody, it seems, is deliberately picking on the Welsh, despite what "popular sentiment"-- whatever that is-- may imply.

I think the idea of changing the Union flag is a total non runner, even if Wales suddenly developed a navy or a merchant maritime presence equal to that of, say, modern day Ireland.

Probably the best Wales can hope for is UDI in Northern Ireland. Once-- or rather if-- that happens then the Royal Arms will have to be amended. This has happened before; removing France (replaced by Ireland) in 1801 and then dropping the escutcheon of Hanover 1837. With Ireland gone the Royal arms would be England 1st & 4th quarters, Scotland 2nd & 3rd quarters. Wales, like the kingdom of Hanover before it, could then be represented in an escutcheon of pretense in the center.

Should that come to pass I, for one, would be the first to endorse such a measure. Frankly, as a herald, I was always curious why, when Hanover was removed from the Royal Arms due to Salic Law, Wales didn't take its place.

Perhaps you should lobby the WNA to unanimously petition Her Majesty to grant Wales the honour of being included in the Royal Arms. Or would that smack of deference and go against the "republican" grain?