By stewartb

The profile of English patriotism has been heightened by two notable endorsements recently. Many may recall the open letter – to ‘Dear England’ – written by the England men’s football team manager, Gareth Southgate before the European Championship in 2021. This gained such a status that in advance of the England team’s appearance in the recent final of the same competition, the flagship BBC Radio 4 ‘Today’ programme had the letter read out to the ‘nation’ once again.

The full text of the letter can be found here: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/dear-england-gareth-southgate-euros-soccer

The other high profile statement on English patriotism came in an article written by Keir Starmer in advance of the General Election. It appeared in The Telegraph on 20 April, 2024 below this headline: ‘Labour is now the true party of English patriotism – I have no time for those who flinch at our flag. The cross of St George belongs to all who love this country.’ (See https://archive.is/MXi9t )

Below are some noteworthy, arguably telling, extracts from both paeans. I’ve opted NOT to add a commentary on the contributions from Southgate and Starmer: I’ve decided to let extensive, verbatim extracts speak for themselves. I reproduce them in order of appearance in the original texts. I do hope you can keep up with the shifts in focus.

1) ’Dear England’ – by Gareth Southgate

• ‘It has been an extremely difficult year. Everyone in this country has been directly affected by isolation and loss. But we have also seen countless examples of heroism and sacrifice’ (my emphasis)

• ‘I can’t possibly hope to speak for an entire country, but I would like to share a few things with you, as we begin this journey’

• to his England squad of players: ‘You are a part of an experience that lasts in the collective consciousness of our country’

• ‘Why do we care so much? Like with our own memories of watching England, everyone has a different idea of what it actually means to be English. What pride means’

• ‘For me, personally, my sense of identity and values is closely tied to my family and particularly my granddad. He was a fierce patriot and a proud military man, who served during World War II. The idea of representing “Queen and country” has always been important to me. We do pageantry so well in Britain, and, growing up, things like the Queen’s silver jubilee and royal weddings had an impact on me.’ 

• ‘Because of my granddad, I’ve always had an affinity for the military and service in the name of your country — though the consequence of my failure in representing England will never be as high as his. My granddad’s values were instilled in me from a young age and I couldn’t help but think of him when I lined up to sing the national anthem before my first international caps.’

• ‘For many of that younger generation, your notion of Englishness is quite different from my own. I understand that, too. I understand that on this island, we have a desire to protect our values and traditions — as we should — but that shouldn’t come at the expense of introspection and progress.’

• ‘Regardless of your upbringing and politics, what is clear is that we are an incredible nation — relative to our size and population — that has contributed so much to the arts, science and sport. We do have a special identity and that remains a powerful motivator.’

– ‘We are independent thinkers’

• ‘But, the reality is that the result is just a small part of it. When England play, there’s much more at stake than that.’

2) ’Labour is now the true party of English patriotism’ – by Keir Starmer

• ‘There are many moments in my life where I’ve felt great pride and gratitude to be English: … Including when ‘defending people facing the death penalty in other countries who look at our dedication to the rule of law with admiration.’

• ‘And now, as Labour leader, the privilege of meeting people in towns, villages and cities right across our country, who all seem to share the same stoic wit and quiet decency. It’s a daily reminder of what the Labour Party is and who it serves. Because whether it’s establishing Nato and the NHS as monuments to our collective sacrifice in the 1940s, or the renewal of our public realm at the start of this century, Labour is at its best when it has celebrated, defended and served the values of our country and its people.’

• ‘For me, this is what real patriotism is about. It isn’t just about respecting our shared symbols and sentiments. It’s also about serving the country we love.’

• ‘.. this is now a Labour Party that will always put country above party.’

• ‘And since the Tories have been in power, pride in our flag – indeed, pride in our national identity – has become more contentious. Shouting “woke” doesn’t just undermine the proud British tradition of free speech, dissent and independent thinking. At best, it suggests they don’t have faith in the strength of our history, identity and flag to withstand discussion. At worst, they don’t care if division weakens our nation if it strengthens their grip on power.’

• ‘I’m proud to be English precisely because it’s a place where we can disagree – whether that’s a debate in the House of Commons or in the local pub – and still celebrate a common identity, a shared history and a future together. That’s what makes Britain the strong democracy that’s the envy of the world.’

• ‘To be proudly English means to be proudly ourselves, to hold firm to our convictions and be able to speak our mind – and be civil when others speak theirs. No, Labour is the patriotic party now.’

• ‘And we’re committed to putting our patriotic values into practice. …. supporting aspiration and championing the British hope that if you work hard, anyone can do well in life. That is why I have no time for those who flinch at displaying our flag. Because the cross of St George belongs to every person who loves this country and seeks to make it better – a symbol of pride, belonging and inclusion.’

• ‘Ultimately, it’s about respect. Respect for those who have sacrificed so much for us to have the freedoms and rights we enjoy today. Respect for those who keep our country going – from NHS staff to carers, delivery drivers and those who keep Britain safe. And respect for each other, as fellow British citizens.’

• ‘I want a country that rewards that service, with higher growth, safer streets, cheaper bills, opportunities for our children and an NHS back on its feet. A country with a proud national identity, confident on the world stage and sure of its future. And where we share the responsibility to write the next chapter of British history we pass on to our children.’

• ‘If a Labour government becomes part of that story later this year, then, whoever you vote for, know that we will serve you. And that we will always put the country first.’  

End note

I recall coming across on X/twitter I think, the former BBC Newsnight journalist Lewis Goodall writing ‘Patriotism is having pride in your country. Nationalism is to believe that your country is superior to all others.’ It’s difficult NOT to see a sense of ‘superiority’ woven through the foregoing!

I also came across this on the website of the CS Lewis Institute entitled ‘Reflections: patriotism’, dated 1 October, 2019. (https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/reflections-october-2019/)  It includes excerpts from Lewis’ book ‘The Four Loves’ in which he addresses love of one’s country and patriotism. Discussing the three forms of patriotism identified by Lewis, the author of the blog post writes of the third form: it ‘is not a sentiment but a belief: a firm, even prosaic belief that our own nation, in sober fact, has long been, and still is markedly superior to all others’.

The blogger goes on: ’I once ventured to say to an old clergyman who was voicing this sort of patriotism, “But, sir, aren’t we told that every people thinks its own men the bravest and its own women the fairest in the world?” He replied with total gravity—he could not have been graver if he had been saying the Creed at the altar—“Yes, but in England it’s true.” To be sure, this conviction had not made my friend (God rest his soul) a villain; only an extremely lovable old ass. It can however produce asses that kick and bite. On the lunatic fringe it may shade off into that popular Racialism which Christianity and science equally forbid… ‘