Latest news with #George'sCross
Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Reform to ban councils from flying ‘woke' flags
Reform UK councils will only be allowed to fly the Union Flag and the St George's Cross, the party chairman has said. Zia Yusuf announced on Monday that 'no other flags' would be allowed to be displayed in the local authorities under the party's control. He said that this policy would include 'flag-poles, balconies, reception desks or council-chamber walls'. Reform now controls 10 councils in England, including Kent, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Lancashire after sweeping gains in the local elections last week. But the policy has already come under fire from Labour, who have said that it would mean a ban on the display of Ukrainian flags from public buildings. The announcement comes as Britain begins celebrations of the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Mr Yusuf wrote on X on Monday: 'Reform controlled English councils will move at speed to resolve that the *only* flags permitted to be flown on or in its buildings will be the Union Jack and the St George's flag. 'No other flags will be permitted to be flown on its flag-poles, balconies, reception desks or council-chamber walls.' Under the policy, flags flown by councils for specific days in the year, such as the Pride flag, the Pan African flag or the Armed Forces flag, would not be allowed. The Prime Minister has repeatedly sought to claim Labour is the party of patriotism as part of his strategy to take on the party. He became the first prime minister to host a St George's Day reception in No 10 last month, and has attacked Nigel Farage for his 'fawning over Putin'. Labour will ramp up its attacks on Mr Farage over his previous supportive comments of the Russian president from over a decade ago in which he said he admired Vladimir Putin. 'Shameful to ban Ukraine flag' Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal, accused Reform of being 'Putin's puppets' over the decision to ban all other flags from being displayed on council buildings. He wrote on X: 'Reform are to ban the flying of Ukrainian flags from public buildings. A gesture of solidarity we see across the whole country. 'Shameful! And as VE Day approaches. Putin's puppets.' Government buildings in Whitehall have displayed the Ukrainian flag in solidarity with Kyiv since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Critics also condemned the policy as a ban on county flags, but Reform sources insisted that they would still be permitted to be displayed. Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said: 'If Reform UK's chairman gets his way, Reform-run authorities would ban flying the Yorkshire flag – even on Yorkshire Day. Is that really what Reform stand for in Yorkshire? 'We should celebrate our proud identity and culture, not erase it.' Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister, said: 'The White Horse has been the symbol of Kent for almost 2,000 years. 'The first king of Kent, Hengest, is said to have used the flag as he and his brother, Horsa, conquered their new kingdom. Denying our flag is denying our history.' Mark Francois, the shadow Armed Forces minister, said: 'Flags are important symbols and should be respected as such. So, does this new policy mean no flying of Ukrainian flags, in solidarity with them? 'Does it mean councils couldn't fly the Armed Forces day flag, either? And what about county flags, too? This sounds like something which just hasn't been thought through.' A Reform UK source said: 'The Tories seem more upset about Reform councils flying the Union Flag than their councils flying the trans flag. 'It sums up the state of the Tory party, the sooner they're consigned the dustbin of history, the better.' The announcement by Mr Yusuf is the latest in a string of policies unveiled by Reform since their triumph in the local elections. Mr Farage has vowed to set up mini-Doge units, modelled after Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency in the US, in councils under the party's control. He also suggested that council workers in diversity, equity and inclusion roles should look for other jobs. The party has also pledged to use legal levers to crack down on renewable energy projects being set up in the countryside, as well as the establishment of migrant hotels. A flag row erupted last year over Nike's changes to the St George's Cross on the England football team's kit, with both then-prime minister Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer condemning it. The Football Association defended the multi-coloured cross design which it said was a 'tribute to the 1966 World Cup winning team'. A number of Labour MPs last year complained about the widespread use of the Union flag on Labour campaign leaflets, which unnamed MPs were said to claim that it might alienate voters from ethnic minorities.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rishi Sunak wishes St George's Day: All you need to know the day's significance
Rishi Sunak is proudly celebrating St George's Day . The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and a Member of Parliament of the UK took to social media to share his wish on St George's Day . Sunak, who was born in Southampton to parents of Indian descent who immigrated to Britain from East Africa in the 1960s, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'Proud to be English! Happy St George's Day!' What is St George's Day? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest $200 in Amazon without buying stocks to earn a second salary Marketsall Sign Up Undo Saint George 's Day is the feast day of Saint George, celebrated by Christian churches, countries, regions, and cities of which he is the patron saint, including England, Albania, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Greece, Georgia, Portugal, Romania, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Castile and León, Catalonia, Alcoi, Aragon, Genoa, and Rio de Janeiro. Saint George's Day is celebrated on 23 April, the traditionally accepted date of the saint's death in the Diocletianic Persecution. What is the St George's Cross? The St George's Cross is a red cross on a white background, and it's a Christian symbol strongly associated with Saint George, a military saint. It's most famously known as the flag of England. The cross has been used as a symbol on flags and banners since the Middle Ages, particularly during the Crusades. Symbolism: The red St George's Cross on a white background is a visual representation of the Christian faith and is often associated with the blood of martyrs. It is the national flag of England and is used to symbolize England's identity, history, and values. Patron saint: Saint George is considered the patron saint of England , and the cross became a symbol of the country, particularly after the English Reformation. Significance of the St George's Cross: Historical significance: The St George's Cross has historical roots, with its use dating back to the 13th century. It represents Saint George, England, Genoa, Sardinia, and Georgia, as well as Christianity and the Crusades. In England, it became a prominent symbol associated with the English monarchy and military, particularly after the 13th century. English symbol: The cross was adopted by England in 1190 for ships entering the Mediterranean to gain protection from the Genoese fleet. It became a symbol of the English monarchy and military, with records indicating its use by soldiers in the 1270s. Military distinction: In the 13th century, it was used as a distinguishing mark on uniforms, particularly during the reign of King Edward I. Royal symbol: Accounts from 1277 mention the use of cloth for the king's tailor to manufacture "the arms of Saint George" for soldiers, indicating its importance as a royal symbol. Modern significance: In modern times, the St George's Cross continues to be a powerful symbol of English pride , patriotism, and national identity, especially during sporting events and in discussions related to Britain's place in the world. The flag is heavily displayed during sporting events in which England competes, including cricket, rugby, and football matches. Significance of St George's Day: Celebrated annually on April 23rd, St George's Day is a national day in England commemorating the patron saint of the country. It is a day to honor the legend of Saint George, particularly the story of him slaying a dragon, and to celebrate English identity. The day is marked with various traditions, including parades, religious services, and celebrations, featuring the iconic St George's Cross flag. It is a national holiday in England, and the traditions include parading with St George's cross flag, wearing a red rose, and enjoying traditional English food . Many towns and cities host parades featuring St. George's cross flags, traditional costumes, and music. Some areas organize festivals with food stalls, live music, and other festive activities. St George's Day is often marked by parades and festivals that bring communities together, featuring traditional music, dancing, and performances. Amy Jackson shows off her baby bump in a blue bikini
Telegraph
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Live Toulon v Saracens: Lineups and latest updates from Champions Cup
05 April 2025 11:50am 11:46AM Ribbans: It would feel wrong to play for Springboks after England Among the banners waved by fervent Toulon fans is one that proclaims 'God save Ribbans', featuring the image of their captain sketched over a St George's Cross. Stade Mayol is one of the most vibrant venues in European rugby union, so to be regarded as its king, even implicitly, represents a formidable feat. The nickname 'Ribeye' did not follow Dave Ribbans from Northampton Saints, but Toulon supporters adore him. The 29-year-old is rightly proud of the affection his performances have earned. And despite being unavailable to England head coach Steve Borthwick, he could well muscle himself into contention for a trip to Australia with the British and Irish Lions. Locks that weigh more than 20st, stand 6ft 8in and contribute around the pitch are rare. Our senior rugby writer Charlie Morgan has sat down for an interview with Toulon's captain today David Ribbans. 11:37AM Teams Toulon starting XV: Jaminet; Wainiqolo, Fainga'anuku, Sinzelle, Villiere; Garbisi, White; Gros, Baubigny, Sinckler, Halagahu, Ribbans (capt), Ludlam, Abadie, Isa. Replacements: Lucchesi, Priso, Gigashvili, Alainu'uese, Le Corvec, Serin, Domon, Tuicuvu. Saracens starting XV: Goode; Elliott, Tompkins, Hartley, Hall; Burke, Van Zyl (capt); Mawi, Dan, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Tizard, McFarland, Gonzalez, Onyeama-Christie. Replacements: Hadfield, Carre, Clarey, Wilson, Michelow, Simpson, Johnson, Jackson-Richards. 11:33AM Quarter-final place at stake The Champions Cup last-16 is upon us and Saracens have made the trip to the French Riviera to take on Toulon at Stade Felix Mayol. Both of these sides have claimed three European titles and are playing for the chance to reach the quarter-finals, where they would host either Toulouse or Sale. Saracens come into today's game off the back of an important win away at Leicester last weekend to keep them in the race for the Premiership play-offs, leaving them in sixth place. During the pool stages of the Champions Cup, Saracens beat the Bulls and Stade Francais but fell to defeats to Munster and Castres. They have made the decision to rest a number of their England internationals as director of rugby Mark McCall has admitted that he is prioritising the Premiership play-offs this season over the Champions Cup. Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Elliot Daly, Tom Willis and Ben Earl are not included. Some, like England captain Itoje, are taking their mandatory rest week after the Six Nations but Earl has already done so. Despite being without a number of key players, McCall has been speaking ahead of the game about his excitement for the challenge facing his side today. 'It is one of the great stadiums to go to,' McCall said. 'It is certainly one of the best atmospheres that we have experienced in the 16 years I have been here. They have had an outstanding season, so it is going to be a very, very tough game but one we are looking forward to. 'We know the scale of the challenge over there, they have got a phenomenal home record. The players have been buoyed by the weekend and we are going to give it everything.' Toulon, who sit third in the Top 14, finished top of pool four in the group stages; they beat the Stormers, Glasgow and Harlequins but fell to a heavy away defeat at Sale in their final match when they had already secured qualification for the knockout stages. They did lose last time out though away at Castres last weekend. Three former England internationals start for the hosts; Kyle Sinckler, Lewis Ludlam and captain David Ribbans. Kick-off at Stade Felix Mayol is at 12.30 BST.
Telegraph
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
David Ribbans interview: It would feel wrong to play for Springboks after England
Among the banners waved by fervent Toulon fans is one that proclaims 'God save Ribbans', featuring the image of their captain sketched over a St George's Cross. Stade Mayol is one of the most vibrant venues in European rugby union, so to be regarded as its king, even implicitly, represents a formidable feat. The nickname 'Ribeye' did not follow Dave Ribbans from Northampton Saints, but Toulon supporters adore him. The 29-year-old is rightly proud of the affection his performances have earned. And despite being unavailable to England head coach Steve Borthwick, he could well muscle himself into contention for a trip to Australia with the British and Irish Lions. Locks that weigh more than 20st, stand 6ft 8in and contribute around the pitch are rare. Having arrived on Côte d'Azur in 2023, following a World Cup campaign that brought his tally of caps to 11, Ribbans has excelled. On the back of an impressive debut campaign, he was asked to share the captaincy with Charles Ollivon. Ollivon suffered a serious knee injury three months ago, leaving Ribbans as the main man for the rest of the season. He will lead Toulon in their Champions Cup knockout tie against Saracens on Saturday. Lying third in the Top 14, Pierre Mignoni's team are chasing two trophies. It recalls the golden galactico period that yielded three Champions Cup titles in succession, between 2013-15, while a recent documentary commemorated a decade since the 2014 double. Ribbans, though, wants to 'create our own history'. 'It's a massive part of the club's tradition, that period,' he tells Telegraph Sport. 'But it was a different time, and the game has changed a lot. There are JIFF rules [on home-grown players], financial rules. 'France isn't just a Wild West in terms of what you can and can't do. It's slightly wilder than the Premiership, maybe, but that all-star team wouldn't be possible in today's era.' Ribbans speaks functional French and prefers to stay level-headed. Though he 'can get fiery in training', Ribbans defers to natives for 'emotional' speeches. Matthias Halagahu and Selevasio Tolofua are identified as two of Toulon's tub-thumpers, and Mignoni is not shy, either. 'We know how to fire rockets every now and then,' Ribbans adds with a laugh. 'I would say that Pierre, our head coach, is probably the number one culprit for that. You can see him on the sideline and be rest assured that he'll be flying into us. It's southern France, man, it's just different. Maybe the temperature heightens everything.' The climate certainly suits Ribbans. He and his partner, Charlotte, live in a small town called Carqueiranne, a 20-minute drive to the east of Toulon. 'Laid-back, beach lifestyle, slow pace,' is how Ribbans describes it. 'It's perfect for me. I'm not a city boy.' French league is 'war of attrition' You will not hear Ribbans criticise Northampton, to whom he remains immensely grateful, but he is making a huge success of his move by embracing the grind. Even with a week off, during which Toulon lost 28-26 away to Castres, Ribbans is already up to 21 appearances this term and offers a stark description of the demands upon him. 'Until you play here, you can't really realise what it entails,' he says. 'This isn't to shade the Premiership at all. With 10 teams, the Premiership has changed a lot. Here, the rugby isn't always as structured or as exciting. It can be helter-skelter, but it's week on week. This year in particular, I haven't missed many games, and have played 80 minutes in most of them. It's been a war of attrition. 'In the front five, you are playing against guys who are 130-140kg. Out in the backs, there are giant Fijians who weigh 120kg-plus. And there's no stepping in this league. Everyone is running straight at you and it's a real – excuse the language – c--k-off as to who is beating who one on one. Every time you go into a scrum or a maul, it's 100 per cent and the opposition are striving to win a penalty. That's the mindset.' After figuring out his ideal playing weight last season, Ribbans has settled between 128-129kg. 'I've probably put on another 4-5kg more than I was carrying at Saints,' he explains. 'It's a fine balance. In this league, you need to have some weight behind you to make an impact in the tight carries and tough collisions. I'm involved in all the line-outs, calling those, so I still want to be explosive and have that as a strong point in my game.' Asked for a highlight so far, Ribbans proposes a general appetite for the sport in France that has supporters brandishing flares and slamming team buses with their hands to welcome their heroes. He mentions the 'eye-opening' prominence of Pro D2, the French second tier, which is televised and played at packed stadiums. The decision to re-sign at Toulon until 2028 was straightforward. 🏴 Our english second row, David Ribbans, add two more years to his contract. He will be in Red & Black until 2028 😍 — RCT - RC Toulon (@RCT_English) June 13, 2024 Fellow England internationals Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam have joined Ribbans and, over the past fortnight, the 42-year-old Ma'a Nonu has rocked up at Toulon as a 'medical joker', or short-term injury replacement. Ribbans shakes his head at the absurdity of it all, revealing that the double World Cup winner has been both remarkably humble and immensely hard-working. 'To say I have played with someone of his calibre is unbelievable,' he admits. Weeks on from a Six Nations that finished with Chandler Cunningham-South alongside Maro Itoje as an emergency second row for an hour in Cardiff, there is a strong argument that Ribbans should be the first man that Borthwick would call if eligibility rules were relaxed. While open about how England frustrations spurred him across the Channel, Ribbans does not harbour resentment. 'Of my seven years in Northampton, I felt like I was putting in really solid performances for at least four of them,' he says. 'I've come to realise that selection is one person's opinion. I wasn't one of the favourites and others got their chance. With Eddie, I never really got a look-in. That was a major reason for the change. I had been in and out, making squads but not getting enough caps, attending broader training camps without getting a shot. 'When Steve took over, to be honest, it was more of the same. He had worked with the Leicester boys and the Saracens boys, so they had a nudge on me. It was great that he took me to the World Cup when he knew I was coming here, but I was sat on the sidelines for it. Ultimately, in terms of playing, I don't look back that fondly on it. I wanted to be more involved and thought I could kick on, but it wasn't to be.' Ribbans was used just twice at the 2023 tournament, starting the 71-0 thrashing of Chile and coming off the bench in the third-place play-off against Argentina. Given the evident lack of faith in options below Itoje, Ollie Chessum and George Martin in Borthwick's current set-up, he would surely be involved. 'When I look back now, I've got to be careful,' Ribbans says. 'I could think 'I should be involved' but it isn't always like that. I think the team is going through a development phase after losing people like Owen [Farrell] and Courtney [Lawes], but they're going well. I still watch England games and hope they do well. Most of the players are now my ex-Saints team-mates, and it's been brilliant to see them come through. 'I haven't heard from Steve since I left and I don't expect to. There wasn't much of a relationship there. If the rules were to change, of course I would put my hand up. I want to represent England and play international rugby – who doesn't? But I knew what the rules were when I signed and I'm not going to complain about them.' Playing for two countries is 'a bit strange' It is a shame that Itoje will be rested for this weekend, depriving us of a tussle between Ribbans and the England captain. To delve into another theoretical scenario, because he was born in Somerset West just outside Cape Town, Ribbans could re-qualify for the Springboks in 2026. 'Would I consider it? You never say never with these things and South Africa was my home originally, but England has become my second home and I was super proud to play for them. I find it a bit strange when players play for two countries,' he explains. 'This is no slight on the Springboks, who are an amazing team. It's just my view and I'm a bit stubborn in it. I'd put aside the potential glory for that because it wouldn't be right towards England.' Speaking of potential glory, Ribbans is among several members of Toulon's cosmopolitan squad who will be on Andy Farrell's 75-man longlist for the Lions regardless of logistical constraints. Ben White, the Scotland scrum-half, is right in contention and tighthead prop Sinckler will be eager for a third tour to supplement 2017 and 2021. 'It's been spoken about a little bit,' Ribbans shrugs. 'If we have a good Champions Cup, then we'd like to think that the coaches would be watching. If we can go deep into the Top 14, which is one of the best if not the best competition in the world, we'd like to think we'd be in contention. 'Honestly, I don't see my chances as being high. I don't think I've been spoken about much and rightly so, because I wasn't in the Six Nations. If it was on my club form, I might be in the conversation. I don't know. It would be a dream to be involved in that team, but I'm realistic. There are some great locks. You never know. If we do well as a team, maybe individual accolades will come with that.' Shine brightly enough with Toulon to force Farrell's hand and there may be new banners at the Mayol for next season. 'Ribbans the lion heart' has a good ring to it.
