Well argued Paul, it builds a case that should shame the hypocrites who use all the usual leftist blurb like “diversity is our strength” and “multiculturalism” but never see how it feels among the patriotic majority.
Paul, you suggest that nationalist sentiment is rooted in alienation witch ,to a degree, is probably true. However ,as Welsh, Scottish, and Ulster sentiment rightly finds expression in their own parliaments, is it not time to consider an English Parliament, within our United Kingdom?
While I don't dispute that "Growing nationalist sentiment is rooted in alienation and loss " the flag raising does seem to be rooted in xenophobia to a significant extent. The slogan that is in lock with the flags is "Stop the boats" which is technically obviously xenophobic, even though yes there are materialist reasons to be anti-immigration and especially for wanting to 'stop the boats'.
If the flag raising were genuinely part of some patriotic movement we would see a concurrent increase in opening of sports and youth clubs, old peoples activities, litter picking etc etc but we don't. If this was part of a genuine patriotic movement we would see a resurge in interest in English culture, folk music, folk dance, real ale, locally grown food etc in these areas, but again we don't.
Indeed part of this alienation and loss is that it is integral to the break up of working class communities since Thatcher. And most of the people funding the flag raising have no interest in English culture, driving Bavarian cars, holidaying in Spain, drinking [fake ] Spanish lagers like Madri and listening to US pop and valuing money over community. English working class culture was never just caring about queen and country, football and beer, even though capitalism was very happy for it to be that.
There is another progressive British working class tradition, one that Billy Bragg has written about, with it's roots in trade unionism, working class community and culture but this flag waving is not that.
So yeah, "We're still here. We still exist" but this flag waving will do nothing to re-build working class community and culture, is just making people angrier.
I have to disagree with your last comment. I don’t think “this flag waving” is making people angrier. Most of us can’t get much angrier. It’s more about finding a voice against the constant marches sporting EU (Steve Bray outside the HoC every bloody day), Ukraine, Pride and Palestine of course. If we aren’t allowed to fly our legitimate country flags what does that tell us about the country in which we live and how we’re ruled?
An excellent article that hits the nail on the head about the cultural and societal divide that exists in the UK. The questions you raise have answers rather all know and understand and you have answered your own questions and most of us have agreed with you Paul. However, I’d love to hear these same questions being put to Andy Burnham and anyone on the front bench and then listen to their answers. They would either weasel their way out or answer a different question.
Very good ... this sums up my feelings exactly ... thank you
Orwell ... spot on as ever!
Hi ya Paul 👋
Wonderful piece 👏
Imagine going to any other countrt and complaining about locals flying the flag of that country? Absolutely absurd .
Have a lovely week Paul and other readers 😊
Ps next time you in Dagenham give me a shout , would love you to sign my copy of "Despised " 😀
Well argued Paul, it builds a case that should shame the hypocrites who use all the usual leftist blurb like “diversity is our strength” and “multiculturalism” but never see how it feels among the patriotic majority.
And still the political class continues to build a Balkanised state, perhaps these councils should instead fly the flag of Yugoslavia?
I like the St George Cross - although not sure I want them lining every street to be hones.
But I don't like the Union Jack and I think it's way beyond time to update it to properly represent our Welsh and Irish brothers and sisters.
As a Canadian it is crazy to see the attempts to ban certain flags in the UK. Canada still pushes all the gender ideology and MAID silliness.
However, our neoliberal elites and media are more than happy to see Canadians fly the flag and wear red during our World Cup run.
Paul, you suggest that nationalist sentiment is rooted in alienation witch ,to a degree, is probably true. However ,as Welsh, Scottish, and Ulster sentiment rightly finds expression in their own parliaments, is it not time to consider an English Parliament, within our United Kingdom?
While I don't dispute that "Growing nationalist sentiment is rooted in alienation and loss " the flag raising does seem to be rooted in xenophobia to a significant extent. The slogan that is in lock with the flags is "Stop the boats" which is technically obviously xenophobic, even though yes there are materialist reasons to be anti-immigration and especially for wanting to 'stop the boats'.
If the flag raising were genuinely part of some patriotic movement we would see a concurrent increase in opening of sports and youth clubs, old peoples activities, litter picking etc etc but we don't. If this was part of a genuine patriotic movement we would see a resurge in interest in English culture, folk music, folk dance, real ale, locally grown food etc in these areas, but again we don't.
Indeed part of this alienation and loss is that it is integral to the break up of working class communities since Thatcher. And most of the people funding the flag raising have no interest in English culture, driving Bavarian cars, holidaying in Spain, drinking [fake ] Spanish lagers like Madri and listening to US pop and valuing money over community. English working class culture was never just caring about queen and country, football and beer, even though capitalism was very happy for it to be that.
There is another progressive British working class tradition, one that Billy Bragg has written about, with it's roots in trade unionism, working class community and culture but this flag waving is not that.
So yeah, "We're still here. We still exist" but this flag waving will do nothing to re-build working class community and culture, is just making people angrier.
I have to disagree with your last comment. I don’t think “this flag waving” is making people angrier. Most of us can’t get much angrier. It’s more about finding a voice against the constant marches sporting EU (Steve Bray outside the HoC every bloody day), Ukraine, Pride and Palestine of course. If we aren’t allowed to fly our legitimate country flags what does that tell us about the country in which we live and how we’re ruled?
An excellent article that hits the nail on the head about the cultural and societal divide that exists in the UK. The questions you raise have answers rather all know and understand and you have answered your own questions and most of us have agreed with you Paul. However, I’d love to hear these same questions being put to Andy Burnham and anyone on the front bench and then listen to their answers. They would either weasel their way out or answer a different question.