Pupils help to fly the flag for Parliament milestone

EIGHTY FLAGS are to fly in Parliament Square from today designed by primary schools across the country to represent their communities.

The project has been organised to celebrate the 750th anniversary of the nation’s first parliament by getting young people to understand the importance of “elected representation”.

The first English parliament was held from January 20, 1265, until mid-March the same year, instigated by Simon de Montfort, a baronial rebel who won power from Henry III. He was killed later that year in the Battle of Evesham and although his parliament was shortlived, he is often crediting with starting the country’s parliamentary tradition.

There have been more than 450 schools involved in display of flag. The project has been supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said: “The 2015 Flag Project is a fantastic programme that has enabled young people to take a creative approach to thinking about what represents them and their communities.

“It takes inspiration from our great democratic heritage of which we are rightfully proud, especially in this anniversary year of Magna Carta and the Montfort parliament.”

MP Tristram Hunt, an historian and Labour leader contender, said: “It’s thrilling to see the voice of young people from across the UK so creatively on display in Parliament Square this week.

“It feels very right to commemorate this year’s 750th anniversary of the Montfort parliament – a parliament thought by many to have started the tradition, which ultimately led to the House of Commons – by looking to our future generation of voters.”