Flags don’t mean unity

Sir,– Allan A. MacDougall (14/11/17) quite rightly challenges Derek Farmer’s views regarding nationalism.

Mr Farmer, in his condemnation of nationalist zealotry, appears to be blind to the rise of post-Brexit English nationalism.

Demanding control, wrapped in a Union flag they believe to be their property, they sing “God Save the Queen” to honour someone who is shown to be perfectly capable of saving herself.

Mr Farmer’s unfortunate terminology regarding Catalonia includes, “insurrection”, defined as “a violent uprising against an authority or government”.

It is, at best, wilfully disingenuous in light of the Catalan government’s efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement. His mantra during the self-same situation in 2014 Scotland was “negotiation, not separation”.

Westminster has since shown their contempt towards such an approach. Meanwhile, the Catalans are given similar advice.

London and Madrid behave as though cloaking territories with flags in the pretence they are united and indivisible is acceptable in this postimperial world. It is not.

Catalonia has consistently voted for a pro-independence parliament, a democratic choice which deserves respect . Ken Clark. 335 King Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.