Strange to see Gordon Brown dropping the phrase “war on terror” while asking (through today’s Sun) that we all fly Union Flags to show war-style defiance against terrorism. I admire his spirit, but he can’t have it both ways.
Flags grew out of the walls in America post 9/11, and it is this spirit which Mr Brown wants to inculcate in Britain. The problem is that the flag in the drawers of The Sun‘s readers is white with a red cross on it. Thanks to Labour’s policy of Scottish devolution, English identity is clearer now in England than ever before. It’s not something I welcome: like many expatriate Scots I’m very fond of the Union Flag. But I’d be interested to see how many red white and blue flags there are outside those owned by prom-goers or official buildings.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate, free for a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first month free.
UNLOCK ACCESS Try a month freeAlready a subscriber? Log in