‘England United; Pride not prejudice’, a new toolkit to be published on Monday 23 March by British Future, aims to help institutions, community organisations and public voices to speak up for an inclusive English identity that rejects prejudice.
It includes new research into what the public thinks about English identity and its symbols, including among ethnic minorities, together with communications advice and tested messages for those wanting to speak up for an inclusive Englishness. Case studies highlight projects that have successfully demonstrated pride in an Englishness that is open to all.
The England United project comes from a recognition that the far-right is trying to co-opt English identity and its symbols, with a risk that major institutions and moderate public voices vacate the field, fearing the debate has become too divisive. With a World Cup coming up this summer, and England co-hosting the Euros in 2028, that cannot be allowed to happen.
People are unhappy about the way in which the most prominent symbol of England has been dragged into polarised debates about identity and race. Eight in ten people (81%), and 73% of ethnic minorities, agree that “I don’t like it when our English flag is linked to racism or used to intimidate minorities. That’s not what this country stands for.”
Four in ten people in England (39%) and almost half of ethnic minorities (47%) say they currently would not display an England flag because they wouldn’t want to appear to support the far right.
Yet most wish this was not the case, and want greater efforts to speak up for an inclusive English identity: Three quarters of the public (75%) say they “would like to hear more people and organisations publicly celebrating pride in England in a way that makes clear they are also opposed to prejudice.”
Coming one month ahead of St George’s Day, the research suggests more work is needed to make 23 April events feel like a celebration to which everyone is invited. Only half the public (53%) and 45% of ethnic minorities feel that a St George’s Day party is a symbol of England that belongs to people of all backgrounds. Yet it also uncovers an appetite to make this happen. Encouragingly, 7 in 10 people (72%), including ethnic minorities (69%), say they would “welcome efforts to mark St George’s Day that show that people from different ethnic backgrounds are invited to be part of it.”
Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future, said:
“Englishness should be open to everyone who calls this country home, whatever the colour of their skin. We should all be able to express pride in our country if we want to.
“Right now, a lot of people feel uneasy about the England flag because of how it’s been co-opted by the far right. But they don’t want to feel that way about their country’s flag. There’s a real appetite for a more inclusive celebration of pride in England.
“It’s not about reclaiming the flag because it already belongs to all of us in England – but we need to assert that with more confidence.
“Inclusive English pride will break out in June when we all cheer on our multi-ethnic team at the World Cup. But then most of those flags will go back in the drawer. I’ve always felt that 2026 could be the World Cup when England finally ends our 60 years of hurt. That should feel like a victory for all of us who feel proud of England, not some angry minority who think that half the team aren’t really English.”
The toolkit also includes a specific chapter on the 2026 World Cup, having found that the England team is seen as the most unifying symbol of England, with 7 in 10 respondents (70%) agreeing that it belongs to people of all ethnic and faith backgrounds, while only 11% disagree. Some 69% of those from an ethnic minority background agree.
An event next week will bring civil society organisations and institutions together to discuss the new findings. British Future hopes that the publication is just the beginning of the ‘England United’ project and that others will come onboard to speak up for an inclusive England.
Imam Qari Asim, Chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB), said:
“England United speaks to the best of who we are, when we choose unity over division and shared pride that is open to everyone across our nation.”
Rabbi David Mason, executive Director of HIAS+JCORE, said:
“England United reminds us that true patriotism is measured not by who we exclude, but by how boldly we stand together against prejudice and for the dignity of all.”
