We’re rightly proud of an iconic flag that binds us together
THE UNION Flag is one of the all-time great emblems, a design classic that is recognised almost as widely around the world as it is in Britain. There is nothing intrinsically Right-wing about our great redwhite-and-blue standard either. In fact it symbolises the sharing of these islands between their constituent nations, a sense of mutual belonging and obligation among UK citizens and even the legitimate role of the state.
And yet metropolitan Leftwingers appear to find exposure to it increasingly anxiety-inducing and objectionable. Only last week the BBC presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty mocked the Government minister Robert Jenrick live on air over his Union Flag and a portrait of the Queen on display in his office.
Labour Left-wingers such as the MP Clive Lewis recently rounded on their own party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, for displaying the flag in the backdrop during video state- ments, bemoaning the alleged creation of “a faux flag-waving brand that’s a cheapened version of patriotism”.
These self-styled progressives are in for a torrid time following the announcement by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden that the Union Flag will from now on be flown from the top of government buildings as standard.
To most of us the move is thoroughly welcome, allowing us to imbibe more moments of pride in our country. There can, for instance, be few more heartstirring sights than The Mall in central London bedecked on both sides in Union Flags for the entirety of its half-mile length upon great state occasions.
ANEW YouGov opinion poll has found that the plan to fly the flag from official buildings is backed by a ratio of three to one. Among Conservative voters the split was 88 per cent in favour and just four per cent against. Alas, among Labour ones there was an almost even division, with 38 per cent in favour and 36 per cent against. It is within a minority of that 36 per cent – generally the most Left-wing ones – that determined antipathy to our flag is to be found. They are relatively few in number, perhaps amounting to a tenth of the population, but they wield disproportionate clout on social media and on broadcast media too.
The odd thing is that in no other major country does the political Left seek to denigrate its national flag. In the United States, Democrats are every bit as keen on the stars and stripes as Republicans.
In France, socialists and liberals alike identify with a tricolour embodying the three great principles of their republic: equality, liberty and fraternity.
But in Britain the Left is snippy and snipey. Last weekend the veteran comedian and folk singer Mike Harding even cited the nickname “Butcher’s Apron” to describe the flag, alleging that those carrying it had committed atrocities in foreign lands down the ages.
What a horribly jaundiced view that is. All powerful countries have been responsible for abuses in weaker territories in previous, less civilised eras. But in general Britain has a record of which to be proud.
As the opening credits to Dad’s Army remind us, the Union Flag represented the only nation to wage war against Nazi Germany from the start of the Second WorldWar to the end of it.
And it was British Armed Forces who freed the Falkland Islands from occupation by an Argentine fascist junta, hastening that regime’s demise in the process. Even the inveterate Labour peacenik Michael Foot supported that undertaking.
Writer George Orwell thought
he knew why the metropolitan Left had a problem with displays of patriotic pride, believing them to favour a European identity over a British one.
“England is perhaps the only great country whose intellectuals are ashamed of their own nationality,” he wrote. “In Leftwing circles it is always felt that there is something slightly disgraceful in being an Englishman and that it is a duty to snigger at every English institution.”
IN THE aftermath of Brexit and amid the painful contrast of Britain succeeding at rolling out Covid vaccines while the EU fails, the metropolitan Left is in an especially sensitive mood. Brought up on the idea of British deficiency, any invitation to show pride in our success feels like adding insult to injury.
They would far rather see the EU’s circle of stars flag atop our state buildings. But never again will that happen.
Instead, not only can we look forward to seeing our famous banner being proudly shown off by multi-racial British teams at the Olympics, but we will also see it more often if we find ourselves in city centres and just look up.
‘There are few more heart-stirring sights than Union Flags in The Mall’