If you’ve driven through Temple Fortune in northwest London recently you’ll have noticed (as in many other places) a rather uplifting sight. Flying from many of the kerbside lampposts are Union Flags.
If you are – forgive my repetition of that awful word – ‘othered’ and made to feel unwelcome by the national flag, perhaps you are the one with the problem
I’m not the only person who thinks they make a wonderful addition to the neighbourhood. When I’ve spoken to local friends, one of the first things they’ve mentioned has been the flags – and how refreshing it is to see a bit of pride in our country that we can all get behind. It is ridiculous that the flag of St George has, in some quarters, come to be seen as nationalist and divisive. But the Union Jack has never been anything other than a symbol of unity – of our four nations and all of us who live here.
You’ve doubtless guessed the turn this piece is about to take. Last week, the local MP, Sarah Sackman – a minister of state in the Ministry of Justice – shared her thoughts on the flags. Sackman is not one of those knee jerk lefties who despises her country. She’s a moderate within the Labour party and has always struck me as relatively sensible.
