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A driving instructor has launched a petition to have the Union flag removed from Welsh driving licences.

Rhydian Hughes, 34, from Pentrefoelas, believes having the symbol on licences in Wales is “disrespectful” because it doesn’t feature the Welsh flag.

The petition, which has so far been signed by 430 people, states: “Since we are a country in our own right, it is not acceptable that the Union Flag, instead of our own national flag, ‘Y Ddraig Goch’ (The Red Dragon) is used on our driving licences.

“It is true that many citizen of our country consider themselves Welsh and not British and we feel that its our right to have our own National flag on this important document.”

Mr Hughes, who is vice-chairman of the pro-independence Yes Cymru group, told the Daily Post: “To accept a Union flag is to agree that Wales is a mini-dominion of England.

“The Union flag comprises of three national symbols England’s, Scotland’s and Irish crosses. Wales is not acknowledged on the Union flag and for a Welsh person to accept the Union flag is to accept Wales is insignificant.

“It’s a matter of ones dignity and self respect, traits the United Kingdom fails to espouse onto Wales.

“You see as Welsh people we have been brought up with a negative consciousness of ourselves, and that’s because we’ve been expected to accept these things.”

His petition comes two years after the Union flag started to appear on new and re-issued driving licences.

The move incensed some people who saw it as an attack on Welsh identity, with one company even starting to sell Welsh flag stickers to cover the UK symbol.

Mr Hughes added: “I started this petition to start a debate. A flag, like most symbols can be quite divisive and the question or debate I was asking people was are we British or Welsh?

“You see in my opinion for a Welsh person to be expected to accept a Union Flag on their licence is disrespectful.”

At the time the Union flag was introduced on the licences it was criticised by the then Wrexham county councillor Arfon Jones, who is now Police and Crime Commissioner, as being “a further attempt by Westminster to create a British identity by social engineering.”

But Transport Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon claimed it was “bringing the country together”.

He said: “Our flag is recognised and respected around the world and is something which British people take pride in. I am delighted to see it featured on driving licences.

“We are bringing the country together. Adding our national flag to British driving licences is a true celebration of one nation Britain.”

You can view and sign the petition online.

A DVLA spokesman said: "To provide a choice of national symbols would be extremely expensive and complex.

"It would also result in a large number of different variations of GB driving licences."