Bragging with the flag extremely un-British

THAT great man of letters and lexicographer Dr Sam Johnson (who actually married in Derby) famously said “patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel”.

What the renowned scholar meant, of course, was that it is easy to wrap oneself in the flag and then get away with all sorts of dodgy behaviour and people will either not notice or let you carry on.

It would appear that our Government has decided upon this course of action, with public buildings being told they must fly the Union flag every day and Cabinet ministers vying to be pictured in front of the largest Union Jack. This action seems all the more ludicrous as Mr Johnson’s Cabinet has done more to facilitate the break-up of the Union than any preceding government.

The strangest thing about these ostentatious displays of Britishness is that it is an extremely un-British thing to do. I was taught by parents and teachers alike that it is not British to boast or brag, to blow one’s own trumpet and tell everyone perpetually just how great you are!

There is no mystery about where this swaggering attitude has its origins. The British

Government’s – particularly Conservative ones’ – obsession with copying America and its habitual flag-waving braggadocio.

There have been two recent letters to this column on the takeover of ordinary English speech by Americanisms – complaints with which I wholly concur (if I hear ‘can I get’ at a counter or bar once more I’ll scream) – it would appear that American overdone patriotism is now another cross we will have to bear thanks to Johnson and his cronies.

Next time you hear Union Jack speak or see a minister almost wrapped in a flag, remember the wise words of Dr Sam.

Phil Garner,