ReD_ReBeL
14th January 2006, 20:29
Support for Brown's 'Britishness Day'
Chancellor Gordon Brown's idea to set aside a day for celebrating all things British has been roundly welcomed.
He put forward the concept while addressing the left-of-centre Fabian Society thinktank in London and called for Labour supporters to "embrace the Union flag".
Mr Brown said Britain did not have the patriotic symbols of the US, such as the Fourth of July, the Declaration of Rights or the Stars and Stripes seen flying in gardens.
But he went on: "Perhaps Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday are the nearest we have come to a British Day - unifying, commemorative, dignified and an expression of British ideas of standing firm for the world in the name of liberty."
Labour's MP for North Swindon, Michael Wills, who advised the Chancellor on his speech, suggested that the Chancellor would like to see the creation of a Britishness Day along the lines of Independence Day in the US.
"If there is a set day in the calendar where people realise it has got a particular function in asserting our national identity together, collectively, all of us, wherever we come from, whatever our backgrounds, we together celebrate what binds us together, that is important," he said.
"The French have it with Bastille Day. The Americans have it. Most countries have a national day and I think it is probably time that we did too."
The idea met with approval from religious as well as tourist and cultural groups.
Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said it would demonstrate the inclusive nature of British life.
"We would welcome such a recognition and celebration of Britishness which itself is of an inclusive nature," he said.
"It recognises the diversity of our communities in our country."
Sir Iqbal said it was important to remember that a sense of British identity was not a new phenomenon.
"Britishness is not something that has been invented in the last year or so. It has evolved over a period of time, recognising the mix of communities.
"There is a real sense of community values - trust, tolerance and respect - that is what community is about."
Elliott Frisby, from VisitBritain, said a national day to celebrate Britain would raise the country's profile at home and abroad.
"I think it would be good to have something that encourages people to appreciate their own country - people sometimes seem too keen to get away," he said.
"It is also important that we establish a British brand, especially in countries which are opening up, such as Poland, China and Russia.
"In China, they have quite an outdated image of Britain, of bowler hats and being rather stuffy.
"Having a Britishness Day would raise the profile of Britain to appeal to more and more people."
But he warned that the success of such a national celebration depended on public support.
"People have to believe in it. Many national days from overseas have a great deal of resonance over here, such as Bastille Day, Chinese New Year.
"Perhaps it is time we celebrated our own Britishness as well."
A spokeswoman from the British Council added her approval: "We welcome the idea of a British Day if it gives people in Britain the opportunity to celebrate the positive aspects of our culture and the diversity and vibrancy of Britain today."
There was a note of caution from Tory Shadow Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, Oliver Heald, who said all parties should be involved in such a project.
He said: "Building a more inclusive British society is a good thing, and we welcome any efforts to do so. However, this process needs a subtle and well thought out approach based on a wide consensus.
"Gordon Brown is right to talk about strengthening our civic identity, but he shouldn't forget that New Labour has been responsible for changes that have damaged so many of Britain's institutions.
"Building Britishness should reflect the interests not of one party but of the whole country - let us hope we can have a new approach of co-operation and consensus from Labour on constitutional reform and what it means to be British."
Do you think this will alienate 'foreigners' who live in this country?
Do you think 'british day' will become an ugly 'american style' patriotism?
Does this not contradict the apparent 'multi-cultural' system?
Chancellor Gordon Brown's idea to set aside a day for celebrating all things British has been roundly welcomed.
He put forward the concept while addressing the left-of-centre Fabian Society thinktank in London and called for Labour supporters to "embrace the Union flag".
Mr Brown said Britain did not have the patriotic symbols of the US, such as the Fourth of July, the Declaration of Rights or the Stars and Stripes seen flying in gardens.
But he went on: "Perhaps Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday are the nearest we have come to a British Day - unifying, commemorative, dignified and an expression of British ideas of standing firm for the world in the name of liberty."
Labour's MP for North Swindon, Michael Wills, who advised the Chancellor on his speech, suggested that the Chancellor would like to see the creation of a Britishness Day along the lines of Independence Day in the US.
"If there is a set day in the calendar where people realise it has got a particular function in asserting our national identity together, collectively, all of us, wherever we come from, whatever our backgrounds, we together celebrate what binds us together, that is important," he said.
"The French have it with Bastille Day. The Americans have it. Most countries have a national day and I think it is probably time that we did too."
The idea met with approval from religious as well as tourist and cultural groups.
Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said it would demonstrate the inclusive nature of British life.
"We would welcome such a recognition and celebration of Britishness which itself is of an inclusive nature," he said.
"It recognises the diversity of our communities in our country."
Sir Iqbal said it was important to remember that a sense of British identity was not a new phenomenon.
"Britishness is not something that has been invented in the last year or so. It has evolved over a period of time, recognising the mix of communities.
"There is a real sense of community values - trust, tolerance and respect - that is what community is about."
Elliott Frisby, from VisitBritain, said a national day to celebrate Britain would raise the country's profile at home and abroad.
"I think it would be good to have something that encourages people to appreciate their own country - people sometimes seem too keen to get away," he said.
"It is also important that we establish a British brand, especially in countries which are opening up, such as Poland, China and Russia.
"In China, they have quite an outdated image of Britain, of bowler hats and being rather stuffy.
"Having a Britishness Day would raise the profile of Britain to appeal to more and more people."
But he warned that the success of such a national celebration depended on public support.
"People have to believe in it. Many national days from overseas have a great deal of resonance over here, such as Bastille Day, Chinese New Year.
"Perhaps it is time we celebrated our own Britishness as well."
A spokeswoman from the British Council added her approval: "We welcome the idea of a British Day if it gives people in Britain the opportunity to celebrate the positive aspects of our culture and the diversity and vibrancy of Britain today."
There was a note of caution from Tory Shadow Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, Oliver Heald, who said all parties should be involved in such a project.
He said: "Building a more inclusive British society is a good thing, and we welcome any efforts to do so. However, this process needs a subtle and well thought out approach based on a wide consensus.
"Gordon Brown is right to talk about strengthening our civic identity, but he shouldn't forget that New Labour has been responsible for changes that have damaged so many of Britain's institutions.
"Building Britishness should reflect the interests not of one party but of the whole country - let us hope we can have a new approach of co-operation and consensus from Labour on constitutional reform and what it means to be British."
Do you think this will alienate 'foreigners' who live in this country?
Do you think 'british day' will become an ugly 'american style' patriotism?
Does this not contradict the apparent 'multi-cultural' system?