The build-up to St George's Day 2024 was a busy one for Keir Starmer. His first offering was an article proclaiming Labour to be the true party of English patriotism. I’m proud to be English precisely because it’s a place where we can disagree – whether that’s a debate in the House of Commons or in the … Continue reading Labour is the party of English patriotism
The Leaders Speeches
Rishi Sunak's leader's speech at the 2023 Conservative Conference in Manchester lasted over an hour, but in all that time he only mentioned England once. Family matters, and as proud Conservatives we should never be afraid to say that. And there's another family that matters to us all, our family of nations: England, Scotland, Wales and … Continue reading The Leaders Speeches
Anglocentric Britishness
As previously noted on this website, the Union Flag is front and centre on Labour's campaign literature in England, while in Scotland and Wales the national flags of those nations are prioritised. David Lammy wrote a piece for The Sun outlining why Labour is proud to fly the Union Flag. While Lammy's reasons for Labour's flying of … Continue reading Anglocentric Britishness
Caroline Lucas comes out in favour of an English Parliament
In a review of Caroline Lucas' upcoming book, Another England (released on 18th April), the Independent reveals that Lucas 'argues for nothing less than an English parliament'. We probably have to go back to Frank Field to find an MP on the Left (vaguely on the Left in the case of Field) who has supported the case for an English parliament. … Continue reading Caroline Lucas comes out in favour of an English Parliament
On this Day in History: Gerrard Winstanley
On 1st April, 1649, Gerrard Winstanley, a prominent figure in the English Civil War period and a leader of the Diggers movement, took significant action to challenge the prevailing land ownership system in England. The Diggers, also known as True Levellers, were a group of agrarian communists who advocated for the common ownership of land … Continue reading On this Day in History: Gerrard Winstanley
The Labour Party has flag problem
Labour Party activists in England have complained about the Union Flags plastered all over the party literature that is being distributed prior to the English local and mayoral election on 2nd May. They worry that British and Minority Ethnic (BAME) voters might associate it with the far right. Some commentators, however, took to Twitter to point out … Continue reading The Labour Party has flag problem
Embrace the St George’s Flag
Last week, on the platform previously known as Twitter, a young, black English woman posed an interesting question.She asked, what is the difference between Rachel Chinouriri's use of England's Cross of St George in 'The Hills' and Beyoncé's use of America's Stars and Stripes on her new album 'Cowboy Carter'. Unfortunately, before much of a debate could … Continue reading Embrace the St George’s Flag
Segmented Branding and the Negation of England
As previously noted, the Labour Party has a flag problem, with some Labour MPs rejecting the party's campaign material because it is plastered with Union flags. In light of some of the comments this story has generated, I wanted to say a bit more on this. One MP 'queried why the party could not use “segmented branding” … Continue reading Segmented Branding and the Negation of England
Is the Conservative Party an English nationalist party in all but name?
We keep on hearing that the Conservative Party is now an English nationalist Party in all but name (for example, see Tory grandees such as Clarke, Major or Pattern). But is it really? As Aughey noted back in 2010, the putative English nationalist calls for an English parliament, voiced by some Tories immediately post-devolution to … Continue reading Is the Conservative Party an English nationalist party in all but name?
Toxic English nationalism
The National reports some interesting comments from Stephen Reicher regarding English nationalism. I think there is little doubt there are toxic nationalisms in the UK, but it is more English nationalism than Scottish nationalism that is the problem. I think it is quite telling for instance, that in the campaigns during Covid you could use … Continue reading Toxic English nationalism
English Commonwealth 