EALING Town Hall is not lowering its flag to half-mast after the death of Margaret Thatcher, dividing opinion in the council.

The Labour-led authority decided not to grant the repeated requests of Conservative opposition leader Cllr David Millican for the lowered flag to be flown over the town hall and for a minute's silence at the next council meeting on Tuesday April 16.

Flags are flying at half-mast over Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street and British embassies.

Fellow Conservative Cllr Mark Reen said there had been a fitting tribute from the Queen - and it should be matched by Socialists in the town hall.

Ealing Liberal Democrats pointed out that Mrs Thatcher had little connection to Ealing and previous prime ministers have not been honoured in the ways suggested.

Lib-Dem Leader Cllr Gary Malcom said: “I think the nationally publicised funeral would be the more appropriate method for people to reflect on her death.”

Cllr Malcom said Baroness Thatcher’s legacy was still being felt today, particularly with regards to the housing stock in local government.

People on the Ealing Community Forum www.ealingtoday.co.uk have also had their say.

Marie Shelny said: “Why special treatment for her? Not everyone thought she was so great.”

Nigel Williams said: “Ridiculous grandstanding from the Tories. Were the flags at half-mast when Heath, Macmillan or Atlee etc died?”

Conservative MP Angie Bray took to Twitter to say: “Shame on my Labour-led council, #Ealing, for not lowering their flag like others (eg Hillingdon) to mark the passing of Baroness Thatcher.”