I remember it well: when the novelization of TNG's "Encounter at Farpoint" first made it into "upcoming publications" bulletins, it was to be written, not by David Gerrold, but... "Godonly Nose".
For me, seeing the phrase "Red Ensign" puts this context in play: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Ensign#Canada There was a LOT of argument over whether or not it should be replaced by anything at all, much less the flag we have today...
Well, it's all kind of a moot point, since The Red Ensign won't be the book's title. And I'd point out that the Red Ensign encompasses more than the pre-1965 Canadian flag. My grandfather is Canadian, and I've heard him speak about the "Great Flag Debate" now and then. It's fascinating to hear about a debate like that happening in modern times -- we Americans, after all, pretty much had our flag's basic design set back in the 1700s. Personally, I think the Maple Leaf Flag is a much stronger design than the Red Ensign -- it's bolder, more elegant, and it's more distinctively Canadian. But I can also understand feeling attached to the Red Ensign, particularly for Canadian veterans.
This is NOT the final title, apparently. http://www.facebook.com/DRGIII DRGIII has asked in the past that his words elsewhere shouldn't be copy and pasted here, so please just paraphrase in the future -- Rosalind
It's still only a working title, but DRG III has revealed in Part 2 of his startrek.com interview that at the moment he calls the book Allegiance in Exile. (For completeness' sake: You can find Part 1 of the interview here.)