I AM writing in response to Cllr Dean and the Conservative Group’s Council motion pressing for the Union flag and national anthem to be a daily part of school life in our town.

It is interesting to note what the Conservative group feel are the priorities in instilling British values with the young people of Bolton.

Blind deference to a flag and a contentious song do not instill any values to be proud of.

Schools should be concentrating on forging the great British values of respect, comradeship, grace under pressure, humour and sticking up for the underdog that make this country what it is.

It is a shame that the current Government does not display enough of these values.

If the Conservative councillors’ only ideas to improve our children’s prospects are a flag pole and a daily sing song then we are in grave trouble indeed.

Richard Lewis Halliwell