Blunkett and England
Interesting to see that David Blunkett is now engaging with the idea of Englishness.
In Wales, we have no problem with expressing a Welsh identity. But the left in England has ignored its own Englishness for too long - it's been embarrassed by it, or it's been keen to pretend to a space-less metropolitan identity. As Neal Ascherson noted before in an essay in the book What Needs to Change? Englishness became politically incorrect somewhere between the late nineteen-sixties and the seventies. Most Metropolitan thinkers on the left see themselves as British first and English not at all. Englishness was seen simply as an aspect of Conservatism, as an ideology underpinning the institutions of the state.
It's probably time I dusted off the essay I wrote on Englishness in the book The Blair Agenda .
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I believe it is long overdue that the English see their nationality as a positive one. I take pride in people seeing their identity as black Welsh, Asian Welsh or Chinese Welsh. A modern and outward looking Welsh nation will only move forward constructively when all who are committed to Wales and live here are considered as Welsh as each other-whatever their background. Whether the BNP like it or not (and I suspect the latter), Wales is historically, a nation of immigrants.
A positive English identity which all English can share, is ultimately the factor that will stamp out the threat of organised fascism across the border.
Such a strengthened Englishness will also inevitably lead to the re-definition of the British identity.I for one see myself as Welsh and European. Any 'britishness' I feel relates purely to the history and shared ideals of the other nations of the British Isles.
It does not define my nationality.
Good points. Agree with most of what you say, though I personally see myself as Welsh and British. I count myself a European too, but I would like to see a more inclusive sense of 'European identity'. It is used by some as an exclusive way of setting people apart.
David Blunkett, the former Home Secretary, called yesterday for people living in England to celebrate St George's Day next month, saying that they could now do so without fear of offending the Scots, Irish or Welsh.
I would like to see the English celebrate their Englishness a bit more, it may in the long run allow them to understand why we in Wales (and Scotland, Ireland and Cornwall etc) feel so strongly about our own unique identities.
The Times seem to think that seeing the English celebtating St George's Day is likely to offend the Welsh, where I would argue (and you may disagree) that we Welsh are more offended when we're collectivley refered to as British when so many of us feel British at all. I'd like to see the people us all (Welsh, Scots, Enlish, Irish and Cornish) all celebrate each others Saints Days (not least so we have an extre 5 days holiday!) which would lead us to understand and appreci\ate each other's cultures and also think of the spin off the tourism industry would enjoy.
Interesting post Rhys and many will be up for the extra bank holidays! I missed the Times piece, and can't find it online. Do you have a reference?
The Times piece I refered to was actually the Telegraph one you linked to at the top (embarass!). Just read this article in the scotsman about the future of Scottish identity and further Scottish devolution being dependent on the rise English nationalism.
The Times piece I refered to was actually the Telegraph one you linked to at the top (embarass!). Just read this article in the scotsman about the future of Scottish identity and further Scottish devolution being dependent on the rise English nationalism.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/comment.cfm?id=302022005
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