BUT KEIR’S CANDIDATE SAYS FLAG IS ‘FASCIST’
A ROW has broken out after Labour councillors and candidates described the flying of the Union flag as ‘chilling’ and a ‘move from the Fascist playbook’.
The comments by Labour members in Warrington, Cheshire, contradict leader Sir Keir Starmer’s bid to use the flag to win back ‘red wall’ voters. The messages were posted in a Labour WhatsApp group.
Former MP Faisal Rashid posted a screenshot that asked: ‘Should Union flags fly every day? Are flags a sign of unity and patriotism or do they divide us?’ Robin Frith, a Warrington borough council candidate, said it was ‘another move from the Fascist playbook’. Rebecca Knowles, cabinet member for adult social care, said: ‘It’s chilling. There’s nothing at all wrong about being proud of your nationality but this all feels pretty creepy.’ Councillor Paul Warburton said: ‘Next step: teaching the national anthem in schools and the singing of it each morning.’
An insider told the Mail: ‘Some of these comments are pretty despicable and many Labour voters in Warrington will be appalled... they definitely fly in the face of all attempts by Starmer to use patriotism to win over voters in northern towns.’ All were approached for comment.
Ah, the dreaded wedding season looms, with all the usual problems of who to invite — and all the little worms come wiggling out of the can.
I wonder how many people found last summer’s lockdown rule a blessed relief, because they could get away with a tiny wedding? the first thing I’d say to you, Amy, is that it is your wedding day and the happy moment your fiance makes you his Mrs after ten years. therefore what you two think and feel and want should take precedence over all other claims.
Lockdowns have made the whole thing far more stressful than it would normally have been (and weddings arrangements can be grim at the best of times) and I don’t think you’re ‘unreasonable’ to want
to choose who comes. regular readers of this column will know I believe in the family as the bedrock of society, as well as a source of happiness — but such a blanket ‘ faith’ can’t evade qualification. Family love is earned, not a given.
When a relationship breaks down within a family group, there comes a point when it’s impossible to fake it any more.
A child can be told he or she has to visit grumpy old Grandpa or nit- picking Nan, but a young person reaches the age when the feet do the voting. Yes, duty does matter — and when in doubt it’s best to take a deep breath and try to please people. But if — for whatever reason — this grandmother has always been horrid to you, then why give her precedence over a dear friend or cousin whose company you crave?
You and your beloved have a restricted number of guests. Your parents, sister and a couple of bridesmaids take up five, leaving a handful more. Naturally, you’ll want those to be the people you love most in the world.
Since your fiance isn’t inviting his grandparents, why must you? on the other hand, you could invite Gran to the ceremony, but not the reception.
That’s the only compromise I can think of — and I hope the sun shines on your happy day.