April 23rd, St George and all that jazz…

I have always been of the view that St George’s Day should be a public holiday here in England. Well I would say that of course wouldn’t I, as its my birthday. So today I shall be celebrating turning 33, and may wear an England rugby top to celebrate my Englishness.  But is that all I can do to celebrate my identity?

I always think you feel your identity stronger when you are somewhere where you aren’t from. By that I mean I feel more Northern when I am in London than in the North. It’s what differentiates me. I speak to people on trains. You Southern softies don’t. I felt more English when I lived in America. Why? Well because it differenetiated me. I remeber as a kid being constantly to ask to say something by Americans who “just loves” my accent. Pity when I came back aged ten I had a bit of an American accent and was known as Hank the Yank for a good few years by my classmates.

Anyway - the point is that I was proud to be English. But why in the past have English people been almost ashamed to show their Englishness. The Scots, Irish and Welsh are proud. Could it be because showing your Englishness has been typified by hooliganism associated with football, and just drinking too much? Is that what being English is all about?

Of course it isn’t. So why won’t a politician take the bull by the horns and offer a public holiday on St George’s Day? What a populay politician that would be. It’s from the school that offers better batter and bigger chips. Give the people what they want - and what Englishman or woman wouldn’t want a national holiday to celebrate their counrty.

The questions is - will a Scottish Prime Minsiter offer this?

PS:- In the meantime why not have a look at the St George’s Day message from Roger Helmer and Chris Heaton Harris

Jonathan Sheppard