FOLLOWING the unlikely event of a yes vote for Scottish independence in September, I assumed that the iconic union flag would be forced into some sort of re-design.

All the blue bits would have to go, leaving the choice of it either looking like a weird version of the Japanese rising sun flag, or, by changing the blue triangles to alternate red and green, finally making the Welsh feel more included.

Having done a quick colour sketch, both solutions look equally ridiculous.

As it turns out, I needn’t have bothered. Even if Scotland does go it alone, the present union flag does not apparently denote a union of governments, but a union of crowns. The only reason for it to be re-designed in the event of a yes vote is if Scotland decided to become a republic, or create its own monarchy, neither option of which is on the SNP’s agenda.

I Robson, Bishop Auckland.