Ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2026, a debate on whether or not Northern Ireland should have its own flag has sparked.

The official flag is the Union Flag, although many people believe that the Ulster Banner is the official flag of Northern Ireland.

While it is often flown by Unionists and Loyalists, the Ulster Banner has no official status.

Earlier this week, Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland Chief Executive Conal Heatley told Moncrieff that it "makes perfect sense" for Northern Ireland to have a flag that "represents everybody in the community" at the Games.

Mr Heatley said Northern Ireland executives commissioned a report in 2019 that referenced the idea of a civic flag for Northern Ireland that would represent community and society.

Five years have passed, however, and there has been no progress on this civil flag.

Social Democratic and Labour Party Leader Claire Hanna told The Hard Shoulder that while a new flag for Northern Ireland is not the "number one issue" for people, it is important that all Commonwealth athletes feel represented at the Games.

"This is about athletes, all backgrounds, Unionists, Nationalists and neither," the MP said.

"Probably a lot of them don’t give a stuff about politics but they’re at the top of their game, competitng together on a team.

"So the ideal and the aim would be having something that they can all feel proud of, and something they can all share."

Objection to a new flag

Ms Hanna said any athletes representing Northern Ireland should feel "comfortable" with the symbol on its flag.

Belfast Newsletter editor Ben Lowry however, said designing a new flag would be "an attempt to undermine the existence of Northern Ireland."

He said a new flag would have to be agreed upon by Sinn Féin, who he believes will introduce symbolism that is "unacceptable".

"I think the problem with the new flag will be getting agreement," Mr Lowry said.

You can listen back here:

Feature image: Town Hall in Ballyclare, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Alamy.