I am a patriot of this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and a proud Englishman.
Nevertheless, in one way or another, for pretty much my entire life I have been seeking – mostly through electoral politics – to improve our shared country, as well as the wider world.
I have also spent a big chunk of my adult life, including my entire time at college and university, seeking answers to the most significant and intractable questions we can ask – including around ethics, justice, and economics. My only solid conclusion after all this time is that we almost invariably always know less than we think we do, and ought therefore to be open to different points of view, opinions, and experiences to our own.
Thankfully the United Kingdom has, for the most part, been a liberal democracy throughout my 40 years of life. Ours is a country in which we are each ruled by laws, not the febrile whims of flawed individuals; in which diversity of thought is not only protected by law but encouraged and supported; and in which free and fair elections determine political decision-making, not violence and thuggery.
To me, the Union Flag symbolises all that and more. And the standalone St George’s Cross symbolises the unique history, culture, traditions, majestic geography, and beautiful wildlife etc. of my English homeland.
We must NEVER surrender either the Union Flag of the UK nor England’s St George’s Cross to far right thugs who seek only to dismantle the hard-won liberal democratic settlement governing these isles!
Yes our country, and each of its constituent four nations, has many problems. And I too feel like we are sadly in a parlous state of decline. But these problems are largely economic – the result of decades of failed or neglectful public policy from governments of all parties. They are not the fault of poor, vulnerable people seeking a better life for themselves. Nor the fault of minority groups, including and especially British Muslims, who have contributed so much to this great country over many decades and who now, all too often, may fear walking down their own street whilst looking ‘different’.
So let’s focus on finding ACTUAL SOLUTIONS to the myriad problems faced by those in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, not scapegoating groups most of whom have had no say whatsoever in the decisions which have actually caused the problems we now collectively face.
And, in the meantime, for the sake of preserving what is still great about this country (especially when erstwhile liberal democratic allies like the United States now go down a very dark path indeed), let us all embrace the flags of our United Kingdom – not in opposition to but rather in CELEBRATION OF the cultural richness and diversity of thought to be found in our great country.
God save the King and this diverse yet United Kingdom!
* Matt J. McLaren is the Vice-Chair of Enfield Liberal Democrats and one of London Region's elected representatives on the Party's English Council. Formerly, Matt was the Party's London-wide election agent for the 2024 Mayor of London and London Assembly elections, a Lib Dem MEP candidate, and - at various times in the past two decades - a regional officer or executive member for both London and South Central regional parties.
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8 Comments
The important thing is to do it.
Keir Starmer was widely, but incorrectly, mocked for having the Union Jack prominently placed in all his talks to the camera when campaigning from his study. It was the right thing for him to do.
I have worn a Union Jack lapel pin on my jacket all the time since 2009. I explain why in more detail on my website page linked below.
https://www.mohammedamin.com/Community_issues/Union-Jack-lapel-pin.html
Totally agree with this article. The Union Flag represents so much that is good about the United Kingdom and our history – in particular the evolution of democracy and our tradition (at least since the 19th century) of rule of law, free speech, and tolerance of different beliefs. Liberals should be proud to use and show the flag (As arguably should people who feel loyalty to the UK, of whatever political persuasion).
I would like to see Ed Davey make a speech about Patriotism with the Union Flag behing him together with the Lib Dem banner.
If I may be so bold, Patriotism is wanting the best for your country and I think the cultural ingredients of this are unity with diversity, a caring society that enables everyone to live independently within communities, strong local democracy, and internationalism.
My only concern about us wrapping ourselves in the Union Flag is the effect this may have on the half of Scots who still support independence. Many of these voters are fed up with the SNP but may be put off us if we insist on emphasising our Unionist position.
As an alternative, let’s wrap ourselves in the EU flag to make clear that our position is to rejoin.
A good article and am patriotic but wish our country was a democratic Republic where we elect a Head of State. One family that is bathed in elitism and privilege should not have this level of influence without the consent of the governed. Ireland have the right idea by a fair and free presidential election in October. Irish people are citizens of their country and we are subjects. How fair is that and why is the national anthem here about a person rather than a country?
@ David
Irish people are citizens of their country and we are subjects.
A while ago, I checked my passport. From memory, as at present I am 200 miles away from it, it describes me as a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Irelan.
@ Brenda Will “My only concern about us wrapping ourselves in the Union Flag is the effect this may have on the half of Scots who still support independence”.
It’s not just them, Brenda. There are plenty of people in Scotland who voted ‘No’ to Independence who have similar feelings.
The Union flag is though perhaps not the greatest symbol to unify the four constiuent nations. It could relatively easily be adapted to include the cross of St David. Which would also annoy the sort of people I think should be annoyed by adding some black….