The media increasingly suggest London has a very different world view from the rest of the nation. Sunder Katwala argues it really hasn’t and that there is a widespread national pride in London too.
Following on from our director Sunder Katwala’s letter to the Prime Minister and our An Anthem For England campaign, here are some extended remarks from others also in favour of England having its own national anthem.
Director of British Future Sunder Katwala wrote to David Cameron for St. George’s Day, asking for the Prime Minister to encourage a positive and inclusive English identity by opening the debate on whether England should have its own anthem.
Academic Andrew Mycock argues that while the data from British Future’s report This Sceptred Isle suggests that many Scots share a vision of the Scottish nation and society which is multicultural and inclusive, the importance that a majority attach to place of birth suggests ethnicity remains an important factor in how Scottish nationalism and nationhood are popularly understood.
British Future’s new report This Sceptred Isle aims to open up public debate about how we could do more to create a shared and inclusive pride across the nations of Britain.
British Future’s fearless video reporter Richard Miranda went out on the streets of London to ask the general public if they felt England needed its own anthem, and if so what it should be.
Novelist Christie Watson talks about identifying with Wales and the inclination people have to ask her partner, rather than her, where he is from.
“My partner is black and Muslim and English, and wherever we go he gets asked, ‘where are you from?’ And I want to shout, ‘I’m from Wales!’….but they’re directing that at him, which I find quite odd.”
London’s Olympics can be an exceptional moment to show the ties that bind us to Britain, and show off an enthusiasm for the country today,says Rachael Jolley.
Columnist and foreign correspondent Ian Birrell talks about being educated in Scotland, having a Scottish, Irish and English heritage but identifying with London most of all.
“In many ways I see myself first and foremost as a Londoner, and take great pride in what London is today and that represents me best.”