Sir Keir's patriotism problem: One

Release time：2024-05-21 12:16:03 Source：Culture Chronicle news portal

One in eight Labour voters think the English flag is 'racist and divisive and should not be displayed', a new poll reveals today.

The study ahead of St George's Day on Tuesday, reveals widespread support for the St George's Cross, with almost three-quarters of voters saying it is 'a symbol to represent England and no-one should be offended by it'.

But it also reveals a sharp political divide, with Labour voters 13 times as likely as Conservative supporters to describe England's flag as 'racist and divisive'.

Separately, the survey reveals strains on the Union, with the Scots and Welsh both saying they feel better represented by their national emblems than the Union flag.

Sir Keir Starmer has made strenuous efforts to rebrand Labour as a patriotic party in the wake of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, when many traditional supporters deserted the party over a perceived lack of patriotism.

Sir Keir Starmer delivering his keynote speech at last year's Labour conference with a large Union Flag in the background

The study ahead of St George's Day on Tuesday, reveals widespread support for the St George's Cross (stock photo)

Separately, the survey reveals strains on the Union, with the Scots and Welsh both saying they feel better represented by their netional emblems than the Union flag

But the findings also showed a stark divide, with one in eight Labour voters asked saying that the flag was 'racist and divisive'

Pictured: A St George's Day celebration in Trafalgar Square, London

St George's flags deck a street in Knowle West near Bristol for the Euro 2020 held in 2021

In England, 44% of respondents said they were best represented by the Union Flag, with just 24% of Welsh and 17% of Scots agreeing

Even before Mr Corbyn's reign, Emily Thornberry - now Sir Keir's shadow attorney general - was briefly sacked from the shadow cabinet a decade ago for a tweet which critics said 'sneered' at voters in Rochester for draping a house in the flag of St George.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph yesterday, the Labour leader said Labour was now 'the true party of patriotism'.

Sir Keir said he had 'no time for those who flinch at displaying out 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.' 

He added: 'Labour is the patriotic party now. We will celebrate St George's Day with enthusiasm, an enthusiasm shared by each patrol saints' day on our isles.'

But new polling conducted on behalf of former Tory treasurer Lord Ashcroft suggests that some Labour supporters are significantly less enthusiastic about the St George's flag.

The survey of more than 5,400 voters reveals a significant political divide on the issue. 

While 74 per cent of voters overall say 'no-one should be offended' by a flag which 'represents England', the figure falls to 56 per cent of 2019 Labour voters, compared with 91 per cent of Tory supporters.

Just one per cent of Conservative supporters said the flag was 'racist and divisive' and should not be flown. But the figure rose to 13 per cent among Labour voters - equal to more than one in eight.

A Tory source said Labour still appeared to be 'a party that hates Britain'.

It comes after reports last month that several Labour MPs were refusing to hand out leaflets with the Union Flag, with some warning that its extensive use was 'detrimental' in areas with large minority ethnic populations.

Recent party events, conferences and lecterns have featured the Union Flag as Sir Keir Starmer has attempted to shore up his patriotic credentials.

In Wales, just 24 per cent said the Union flag best represented their identity, with nearly half choosing the Welsh flag instead 

The situation was even starker in Scotland, where just 17 per cent preferred the Union Flag compared with 51 per cent choosing the Saltire 

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph yesterday, the Labour leader said Labour was now 'the true party of patriotism'

In a separate finding, the new poll also reveals that support for the Union flag is greater in England than other parts of the UK.

Asked which flag 'best represents you', almost half of voters in England (44 per cent) identified the Union flag, while 10 per cent said the Cross of St George and 29 per cent said both.

In Wales, just 24 per cent said the Union flag best represented their identity, with 46 per cent naming the Welsh flag and 23 per cent saying both.

The situation was even starker in Scotland, where just 17 per cent identified primarily with the Union flag, compared with 51 per cent for the Saltire and 23 per cent saying both.

The polling data comes just weeks after Nike was caught in a backlash over it's England Euro 2024 kit, after it overhauled the St George's Flag to a navy, light blue and purple cross instead of the traditional red one.

Commentators and fans blasted the sportswear giant for going 'woke' with the new colour regime, which Nike insisted was a 'playful update' with a nod to the 1966 World Cup winners.

In contrast, Team GB kit maker Adidas declined to make the same mistake, and instead opted to stick with the traditional colours for the Paris 2024 strip.

It came despite another row over Olympic merchandise which featured pink and purple union flags with dots and squiggly line in an apparent attempt to 'refresh the team's colour palette'.

Britons branded the new design 'meaningless' and a 'step too far', with others calling it 'offensive' and 'not unique'.

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