Throughout my life the flying of the Union flag has indicated a place or an event of significance and the lowering of the same usually meant a tragedy as of late.
The other important use for a long time has been as a tribute to and a final cover to the fallen. I feel that this limited use has emphasised its national status in the public mind.
In the last twelve months it has become increasingly apparent that the PR machine that controls the behaviour of the government puppets who appear almost daily on our screens has attempted to use patriotism as a mask for the lack of ability and other shortcomings. Pigs and lipstick are words which spring to mind.
It was interesting to read a recent article extolling the virtues of flying the flag.
It states that the vast bulk of the British people rightly regard our flag as a standard for Western values.
I suspect that what is really meant here is not Western values, whatever they are, but English values as perceived by the lunatic fringes of the back benches of the Tory party.
Another statement of mind-boggling arrogance is that British identity, rooted in Christian values, has always been generous and welcoming. Does the Home Secretary know about this?
The later part of the article deals with separatist movements, narrow minded identity politics and peculiarly spiteful and bitter mind-sets against the “other”.
It is difficult to believe that this article is written by someone who has done everything possible to ensure that this country left the European Union in the biggest separatist movement in recent history, regardless of any cost or consequences, be they damage to international relations, economic failure causing hardships to citizens and the rise of separatist politics.
One of the long predicted and totally ignored consequences is the current trouble in Northern Ireland where the flag has paramount importance.
I see no support in the article for that off shoot of the Tories – the Loyalists – who have developed flag waving to an art form.
The overall tone of the article is what one expects nowadays, an appeal to the lowest common denominator exemplified by tabloid headlines together with self-promotion and, always, an eye on the next election.
If I may, a final comment: References are made to the unity of this country and to two parties, Sinn Fein and the SNP.
It seems typical that a member of the amusingly titled Common Sense Group would display such English arrogance, or ignorance, in ignoring a leading Welsh party, Plaid Cymru, which has often debated independence.
But, then again, is this government really interested in anybody else’s views?
I Sloan
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