Politics and the Flag

 That "Patriotism is the last Refuge of the Scoundrel" is probably the best known of the sayings of Dr Johnson.  Apparently an outside advisory body has recommended to the Labour Party that it should become more overtly patriotic by wearing suites and wrapping itself in the Union Jack.

I admit to being rather in favour of formal, or at least, appropriate dress, but have been unhappy for some time about the ostentatious flaunting of Union Jacks by government spokespersons in their "briefings."  Flags may be useful in meetings between international leaders, but we know that Westminster is British - there's no need to spell it out.

As  a youngster I remember bing told that whereas the US, as a nation largely of migrants and relatively new, had to make an effort to instil love of country by such rituals as daily recitations of their "Pledge of Allegiance" in schools and the  ubiquitous  presence of their flag, we, as  a mature nation, established in 829 when Egbert of Wessex became King of "all England" (Wales, Ireland and Scotland were later accretions) and largely born here. didn't need such props.

Nevertheless we were expected to be patriotic, but in a quiet, understated way.  Our patriotism was a "given"

"Pride" and "patriotism" are both difficult concepts. 

 Pride is, of course, one of the seven deadly sins, so should be treated with particular caution. It seems reasonable to be proud of achieving something desirable largely by one's own efforts, such as running a Marathon in a good time (or in my case a half-Marathon in a modest time), climbing all the Munros in Scotland, writing a best seller (or even any novel), gaining the qualifications for a  job or being part of a winning team.  However, such pride should be tempered by awareness of the advantages, such as physical fitness, dexterity, brains or the contritions of others that made the achievement possible

There is not a lot of logic in being proud of something over which one has no control. such as having been born in Britain, or even Yorkshire. Nevertheless I confess to being slightly proud of both, but, I hope, only in a very low key way. If I remember I might wear a White Rose on what somebody has recently invented as Yorkshire Day (1st August) but wouldn't want to make much of a fuss about it.  More of a joke really.

Similarly with patriotism.  which my somewhat outdated dictionary (Concise Oxford  4th edition 1951) defines as being "zealous for the freedoms of one's country."  Given that, you can see why the Brexiteers are fond of it.  A lot depends on what you mean by "freedom."  Making decisions free of parliamentary scrutiny? Freedom to get rich at the expense of others?

We have seen in the nightmare  of the US under Trump how easily excessive nationalism -  "America First," "Make America Great Again" - can imperil  democracy and become the first steps towards fascism.

The progressive left, of which the Labour Party is the major part, needs to concentrate on the more mature virtues of co-operation and caring.  The early socialists were determined internationalists.  I hope the Labour  Party will remember that part of its heritage whilst keeping its undoubted patriotism understated - a given.