<P> However, the fact that it was likely that Northern Ireland would choose not to remain part of the Irish Free State after its foundation and remain in the United Kingdom, gave better grounds for keeping the cross of St. Patrick in the Union Jack . In this regard, Sir James Craig, the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland remarked in December 1921 that he and his government were "glad to think that our decision (to remain part of United Kingdom) will obviate the necessity of mutilating the Union Jack ." Though remaining within the United Kingdom, the new government of Northern Ireland dispensed with the St Patrick's Saltire in favour of a new flag derived from the coat - of - arm of the Burkes, Earls of Ulster, and quite similar to England's St George's Cross . </P> <P> Ultimately, when the British home secretary was asked on 7 December 1922 (the day after the Irish Free State was established) whether the Garter King of Arms was to issue any regulations with reference to the Union Jack, the response was no and the flag has never been changed . </P> <P> A Dáil question in 1961 mooted raising the removal of the cross of St Patrick with the British government; Frank Aiken, the Irish minister for external affairs, declined to "waste time on heraldic disputations". </P> <P> In 2003, a private individual started a campaign--dubbed "reflag" or "Union Black"--to interpret the Union Flag in a racial context, and introduce black stripes in it . The proposal was universally met with opposition and was denounced by MSP Phil Gallie as "ridiculous tokenism (that) would do nothing to stamp out racism". The campaign is now defunct . </P>

What do the colours of the union jack represent