November 28, 2005
Pride? We try, but it's not getting any easier
Gisela Stuart on taking pride in being both English and British:
Let’s start by making one thing clear. Of course we should be proud of our English culture and history. And we could begin to show this pride by celebrating St George’s Day properly on April 23.It’s an interesting proposition and one that I myself am still trying to believe in. Interesting because it is a position that seems some what out of character for a member of New Labour. It is a message that does not seem particularly compatible with some of what we have seen written and some of what we have heard from various Labour individuals.But this does not mean that we should not also be proud of being British. It’s not a case of one or the other – it’s a case of being proud of both!
England, as opposed to Britain, has an unfortunate history around the world and within the British Isles and please do not say that it is all past. – Terry White, New Labour’s Communications Unit.
There is no such thing as English nationality – Home office official.
there is no such nationality as English – John Prescott
… when Ken Livingstone, the political prankster who is also mayor of London, announced plans for a capital city St Patrick's day parade on March 17 - and blocked proposals to celebrate St George's day on April 23 - the news made surprisingly little impact - The Guardian (2001, though I suspect that it would have a greater impact now)
This time he [Gordon Brown] spoke of "the nations and regions of Britain". By "the nations" he meant Scotland and Wales by "the regions" he meant English regions.The list could go on and it is not just limited to actual New Labour individuals. Where a government leads, some are tempted to follow. We have seen England excluded from the Tour of Britain cycle race while Scotland and Wales were permitted to enter teams. We see organisations right across Britain organise themselves on a regional basis for England but a national basis for countries with political representation because it is more compatible with the government framework and makes funding easier to get. We see, time and time again, one initiative for Scotland and a completely different initiative for England often resulting in a poorer result for the usual suspects. There are many, many more examples of the mixed messages we are getting. Nearly every institutionally based indication would suggest that, in reality, there is no such nation as England. The very nation that Gisela Stuart suggests that we should also take pride in. There’s a sharp edge to being British and England lies upon that edge. We could ask Gisela what she means by taking pride in being English when her party denies the existence of England as a nation? Is she referring to ethnic English, people who were born in England or just the history of England when, you know, it was a nation? Of course we should be proud of our English culture and history. Yes, but what about the nation of England and what about now?
For me this is not just about England’s history or England’s culture. This is predominantly about England’s future. What initiatives have been forthcoming from this current British government that assures England’s future as an equal nation in the British Union? Anyone? Anyone at all?
Let me ask a different question. What initiatives have been forthcoming from this current British government that do exactly the opposite?
The answer to that is why Gisela’s suggestion that we should also take pride in being British is difficult for some to swallow.
