Watford Borough Council and its neighbours have responded to plans for the Union flag to be flown every day on Government buildings.

Currently they are only put up on special ocassions, but new guidance from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will ask for them to be on a pole 24/7.

Donna Nolan, Watford Borough Council's managing director, said: "Once we have gone through the new legislation and the guidance on flying the UK flag in detail, we will work with Elected Mayor Peter Taylor and councillors on what steps we need to take."

Mr Taylor told the Observer: "It is surprising that during a global pandemic the Government thinks this is a priority.

"Surely we all should be focusing on keeping the number of Covid cases down, helping businesses to adapt and revive and providing support to those in need?

"I am proud to be British and happy to fly the union flag more often from the Town Hall.

"The key thing is that we bring people together to get through the difficult period we have faced."

A spokesperson for Hertsmere, which covers Potters Bar, Borehamwood and Bushey, said: “At the moment, we are still reviewing the guidance on this one – the guidance only appears to have been updated two days ago – and haven’t had a chance to properly assess or reach a decision yet.”

A spokesperson for St Albans City and District Council also said it will "now be reviewing it before taking a view", as did Three Rivers Council, while Dacorum Council said: "While the Union Flag guidance is aimed at UK Government buildings, Dacorum Borough Council already follows suit with the guidance."

The plans have divided opinion on social media, with dozens of responses left on the Observer's Facebook page.

Among them was Tammy Baker, who wrote: "Why shouldn’t we. It’s our flag?" 

Carroll Dixon also said: “Yes, why not. Proud to be British, other countries fly their flags.” 

But Jon Vile wrote: "What is the point of this? What do those of you saying yes think this will achieve? This isn't patriotism, it is nationalism."