Time to Reclaim the St George's flag

Last Monday was St George’s Day. How many of us were even vaguely aware of that? I certainly didn’t see many people flying the English flag, writes Rena Dipti Annobil.

According to a survey by new independent think tank British Future, this may be because only 61% of English people feel pride in the St George’s Cross; compared to 80% of people who feel patriotic towards the Union Jack.

The survey also revealed that nearly a quarter of English people feel the Cross of St George is associated with racism and extremism, and that more people are proud to identify themselves as being Scottish or Welsh than English.

I describe myself as a British Indian. Whilst my ties to India are strong, I’m proud of being born in England and consider it my home. Yet, I don’t feel I can call myself English.

I think I speak for a lot of Asian and black people when I say that the word ‘English’ seems to pertain to a certain ethnicity. Organisations like the EDL have fuelled negative associations for the English flag.

I can understand why people think that the Union Jack is a more inclusive symbol, but also feel it’s time for the St George’s flag to be reclaimed and turned into a symbol that British people of all ethnicities can relate to and be proud of.

Who knows, maybe some time in the future St George’s Day will be celebrated with the same exuberance as St Patrick’s?