Latest news with #LancashireEccles
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starmer is trying to show he's more patriotic than Farage, but his plan is doomed to fail
Sir Keir Starmer appears to have caused Nigel Farage some consternation with his attempts to flaunt his patriotic credentials this week. On Tuesday evening the Prime Minister posed outside No10 in front of St George's flag bunting and alongside celebrities including Ross Kemp, whom his staff had decided projected a sense of Englishness. Guests were served Melton Mowbray pork pies, Lancashire Eccles cakes and Bakewell tarts, as the Prime Minister praised the value of 'modern patriotism'. Reform's leader Farage was somewhat sceptical, accusing Starmer of 'panicking' about the threat from Reform, an avowedly and overtly patriotic movement. 'He and his north London friends loathe Englishness but are losing support to Reform,' said Farage, of the Prime Minister. His rebuke came just weeks after Starmer claimed there was 'nothing patriotic' about Reform, accusing Farage himself of 'fawning over [Vladimir] Putin' after he suggested the West provoked Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The row goes to the heart of Starmer's attempts to prove his patriotic credentials since becoming Labour leader five years ago, at first in an attempt to distance himself from his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, who critics accused of being unpatriotic and even borderline traitorous. Indeed, ahead of St George's Day last year, Starmer said Labour must not flinch at flying the flag of St George. It also says much about his party's attempt to stave off the electoral challenge posed by a confident Reform, which although increasingly popular in Wales and even Scotland, retains its base in a resurgent English nationalism. 'Getting patriotism wrong does make a difference in elections,' says James Frayne, a political consultant and opinion research strategist. 'If Starmer says perfectly patriotic things and has a nice party and drapes himself in the flag then that is net neutral for his reputation. 'But if he did nothing, or got it wrong, that would be very bad. He is doing the minimum he needs to do.' Echoing Frayne, many observers argue that when it comes to patriotism, it's not so much getting it right that counts but not getting it wrong. Starmer has been risk averse on a number of issues (including the rights of biological women), but has been avowed in repeatedly declaring his love of country. In his first conference speech as Labour leader in 2020 he declared: 'We love this country as you do' – a sentiment he has often returned to since. A year later, a leaked internal document advised Labour to make 'use of the [union] flag, veterans [and] dressing smartly' as part of a rebranding drive. Since becoming Prime Minister, he appears to have rarely missed an opportunity to position himself next to the Union Jack. In 2024, he wrote a piece for this newspaper in which he recounted 'belting out Three Lions in the crowd at Wembley in 1996' and spoke of his 'great pride and gratitude to be English'. But not everyone has bought in. Critics on the left of his own party have complained that Labour rallies now resemble the Last Night of the Proms. Meanwhile, Farage faces no such potential revolt from his party members and activists. He took over the leadership just 11 months ago, but his prior involvement with UKIP and Brexit has long endeared him to voters who believe he possesses uniquely patriotic credentials. Famed for possessing 20 pairs of Union Jack socks, Farage has long marked himself out by taking other politicians to task for what he has says is a lack of sentiment for Britain and its traditions – including attacking former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for leaving the D-Day memorial service early last year. Yet, as loudly as Farage and Reform shout about the Englishness they represent, the Prime Minister may be wise to opt instead for the anodyne expressions of patriotism that reached their apogee at the bunting-strewn celebration in Downing Street on Tuesday evening. Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, a think tank that specialises in immigration, integration, race and identity, says Sir Keir appears keen to sell a vision of patriotism that excludes no one – a seemingly sensible electoral strategy. 'I think normalising patriotism in No10 is fine,' says Katwala, who attended the event. 'Starmer wants to look at ease around English symbols. I don't think his party was some kind of response to Farage. 'Starmer has to admit there are things that need fixing, but what he doesn't want is to seem like he feels miserable about the country he's trying to fix,' he adds. The majority of the electorate certainly appear to value a leader who embraces love of country. Polling conducted last year by the More in Common think tank found eight in ten voters believed it was important for politicians to be patriotic. And if the Prime Minister's embrace of national identity is, at least in part, an attempt to take on Farage at his own game, there are signs it may be working. A survey conducted in June 2024 by More in Common found two in five voters believe that under Sir Keir's leadership, Labour is a party that's proud to be British. Under Corbyn, half as many felt that way, and the party has routinely struggled with perceptions that it is snobbish about patriotism in the past, such as when Emily Thornberry appeared to mock homeowners in Rochester, Kent, in 2014 for displaying a St George's flag outside their property. But even if Starmer is doing a reasonable job in emphasising his own patriotism, it has done little to quell Farage and Reform, both of which are riding high in the opinion polls. The party looks to be level with Labour going into the local elections, and favourites to win the Runcorn and Helsby by-election next week, following the resignation of Labour's Mike Amesbury. Meanwhile, the Reform leader and MP for Clacton has predicted his side can make major inroads into Labour's northern heartlands. 'Reform are parking their tanks on the lawns of the red wall,' Farage said last week. 'If you are considering voting Conservative in these areas, you are wasting your vote, because if you want a party that can beat Labour, it is now very clearly Reform.' Farage, suggests Frayne, has been able to seize on the widespread sense of a country on its knees to garner support. 'It's okay for Reform to sell patriotism by being negative because there is a large proportion of the country that thinks England and Britain have gone to the dogs and that we were a better country in the past,' he says. 'You can sell these ideas as Nigel Farage. You can't do it as the Prime Minister. People elect a leader to change things for the better and have an optimistic vision, even if they are very sceptical about whether they really believe things can get better,' he adds. Such ideas are about to be put to the test once again. And if polling is to be believed, an apparent love of country may not be enough to save a widely unpopular party and Prime Minister from having its report card marked by discontented voters. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Starmer is trying to show he's more patriotic than Farage, but his plan is doomed to fail
Sir Keir Starmer appears to have caused Nigel Farage some consternation with his attempts to flaunt his patriotic credentials this week. On Tuesday evening the Prime Minister posed outside No10 in front of St George's flag bunting and alongside celebrities including Ross Kemp, whom his staff had decided projected a sense of Englishness. Guests were served Melton Mowbray pork pies, Lancashire Eccles cakes and Bakewell tarts, as the Prime Minister praised the value of 'modern patriotism'. Reform's leader Farage was somewhat sceptical, accusing Starmer of 'panicking' about the threat from Reform, an avowedly and overtly patriotic movement. 'He and his north London friends loathe Englishness but are losing support to Reform,' said Farage, of the Prime Minister. His rebuke came just weeks after Starmer claimed there was 'nothing patriotic' about Reform, accusing Farage himself of 'fawning over [Vladimir] Putin' after he suggested the West provoked Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The row goes to the heart of Starmer's attempts to prove his patriotic credentials since becoming Labour leader five years ago, at first in an attempt to distance himself from his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, who critics accused of being unpatriotic and even borderline traitorous. Indeed, ahead of St George's Day last year, Starmer said Labour must not flinch at flying the flag of St George. It also says much about his party's attempt to stave off the electoral challenge posed by a confident Reform, which although increasingly popular in Wales and even Scotland, retains its base in a resurgent English nationalism. 'Getting patriotism wrong does make a difference in elections,' says James Frayne, a political consultant and opinion research strategist. 'If Starmer says perfectly patriotic things and has a nice party and drapes himself in the flag then that is net neutral for his reputation. 'But if he did nothing, or got it wrong, that would be very bad. He is doing the minimum he needs to do.' Echoing Frayne, many observers argue that when it comes to patriotism, it's not so much getting it right that counts but not getting it wrong. Starmer has been risk averse on a number of issues (including the rights of biological women), but has been avowed in repeatedly declaring his love of country. In his first conference speech as Labour leader in 2020 he declared: 'We love this country as you do' – a sentiment he has often returned to since. A year later, a leaked internal document advised Labour to make 'use of the [union] flag, veterans [and] dressing smartly' as part of a rebranding drive. Since becoming Prime Minister, he appears to have rarely missed an opportunity to position himself next to the Union Jack. In 2024, he wrote a piece for this newspaper in which he recounted 'belting out Three Lions in the crowd at Wembley in 1996' and spoke of his 'great pride and gratitude to be English'. But not everyone has bought in. Critics on the left of his own party have complained that Labour rallies now resemble the Last Night of the Proms. Meanwhile, Farage faces no such potential revolt from his party members and activists. He took over the leadership just 11 months ago, but his prior involvement with UKIP and Brexit has long endeared him to voters who believe he possesses uniquely patriotic credentials. Famed for possessing 20 pairs of Union Jack socks, Farage has long marked himself out by taking other politicians to task for what he has says is a lack of sentiment for Britain and its traditions – including attacking former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for leaving the D-Day memorial service early last year. Yet, as loudly as Farage and Reform shout about the Englishness they represent, the Prime Minister may be wise to opt instead for the anodyne expressions of patriotism that reached their apogee at the bunting-strewn celebration in Downing Street on Tuesday evening. Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, a think tank that specialises in immigration, integration, race and identity, says Sir Keir appears keen to sell a vision of patriotism that excludes no one – a seemingly sensible electoral strategy. 'I think normalising patriotism in No10 is fine,' says Katwala, who attended the event. 'Starmer wants to look at ease around English symbols. I don't think his party was some kind of response to Farage. 'Starmer has to admit there are things that need fixing, but what he doesn't want is to seem like he feels miserable about the country he's trying to fix,' he adds. The majority of the electorate certainly appear to value a leader who embraces love of country. Polling conducted last year by the More in Common think tank found eight in ten voters believed it was important for politicians to be patriotic. And if the Prime Minister's embrace of national identity is, at least in part, an attempt to take on Farage at his own game, there are signs it may be working. A survey conducted in June 2024 by More in Common found two in five voters believe that under Sir Keir's leadership, Labour is a party that's proud to be British. Under Corbyn, half as many felt that way, and the party has routinely struggled with perceptions that it is snobbish about patriotism in the past, such as when Emily Thornberry appeared to mock homeowners in Rochester, Kent, in 2014 for displaying a St George's flag outside their property. But even if Starmer is doing a reasonable job in emphasising his own patriotism, it has done little to quell Farage and Reform, both of which are riding high in the opinion polls. The party looks to be level with Labour going into the local elections, and favourites to win the Runcorn and Helsby by-election next week, following the resignation of Labour's Mike Amesbury. Meanwhile, the Reform leader and MP for Clacton has predicted his side can make major inroads into Labour's northern heartlands. 'Reform are parking their tanks on the lawns of the red wall,' Farage said last week. 'If you are considering voting Conservative in these areas, you are wasting your vote, because if you want a party that can beat Labour, it is now very clearly Reform.' Farage, suggests Frayne, has been able to seize on the widespread sense of a country on its knees to garner support. 'It's okay for Reform to sell patriotism by being negative because there is a large proportion of the country that thinks England and Britain have gone to the dogs and that we were a better country in the past,' he says. 'You can sell these ideas as Nigel Farage. You can't do it as the Prime Minister. People elect a leader to change things for the better and have an optimistic vision, even if they are very sceptical about whether they really believe things can get better,' he adds.
Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Starmer serves up pork pies and Ross Kemp for St George's Day
As a surging Reform UK threatens Labour's post-industrial heartlands, Sir Keir Starmer has two secret weapons to show his love for England: the Melton Mowbray pork pie and Ross Kemp. At a reception to celebrate St George's Day, Downing Street hosted the former EastEnders actor, public sector workers, Rob Beckett the comedian, and sporting figures Sarah Storey and Maro Itoje. Guests at the party on Tuesday evening were treated to pork pies, Lancashire Eccles cakes and Bakewell tarts, as the Prime Minister praised the value of 'modern patriotism' and celebrated English culture. A Downing Street spokesman was keen to stress Sir Keir's zeal for his country, pointing out that he has 'previously spoken about the pride that he feels in being English'. But this was not enough for Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, who declared that Sir Keir 'and his north London friends loathe Englishness'. Kemp grew up in Essex before attending drama school and is a longstanding Labour supporter, although he endorsed Tory MP Mark Francois in the 2024 general election. The 60 year-old has presented a series of documentaries on war zones and gangs. Beckett, 39, has frequently talked about his working-class upbringing in south-east London, where his father drove vans, and has described the 'rage' he feels when encountering snobbery in the comedy world. Mr Farage, whose party is neck-and-neck with Labour in the polls after a prolonged surge since the general election, said the reception showed the Prime Minister was struggling. He said: 'He is panicking. He and his north London friends loathe Englishness but are losing support to Reform.' Last week Mr Farage said that Reform was parking its tanks on Labour's lawn in Red Wall areas. Ahead of the local elections next week, Reform is vying with Labour for first place in The Telegraph's poll of polls, while outperforming the Conservatives. The party is also on track to win the Runcorn and Helsby by-election next week, following the resignation of Mike Amesbury, the Labour MP jailed for punching a voter. Sir Keir used Labour's local election campaign launch to attack Mr Farage over his previous positive comments about Vladimir Putin, claiming they showed him not to be a patriot. The Prime Minister told voters earlier in April: 'They claim to be the party of patriotism. I'll tell you this – there's nothing patriotic about fawning over Putin.' Mr Farage has faced a backlash across the political spectrum for previous comments he has made about the Russian leader, including saying he 'admired him as a political operator'. In June 2024, he was criticised for suggesting in a BBC interview that the West provoked Russia's invasion of Ukraine because of the eastern expansion of the European Union and Nato. Labour, meanwhile, has long struggled with claims that it has abandoned traditional voters. More than a decade ago, Emily Thornberry resigned from the shadow cabinet after an online post about houses displaying England flags that critics took to be disparaging. Sir Keir wrote in The Telegraph in 2024 that he had 'no time for those who flinch at displaying our flag ' as 'the cross of St George belongs to every person who loves this country and seeks to make it better – a symbol of pride, belonging and inclusion'. A Labour source said: 'St George's Day doesn't belong to Labour or Reform. Farage will obviously make everything about himself, but tonight's reception isn't about him or Keir. 'It's about the NHS nurses, police officers and sporting heroes that make this country great.' Riots aftermath 'showed what Englishness is' The Prime Minister told attendees there there was a 'never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents'. He referred to the Southport riots after the murders of three girls at a dance class by Axel Rudakubana last summer. He said that people 'trying to sow division in our communities' had taken 'the red and white of our flag with them' as they caused civil unrest. Sir Keir added: 'It was the aftermath of the riots that showed what it means to be English. It marked the coming together of a country. 'People who got together the morning after, all across Britain with shovels, brooms, and brushes, to clean up their communities. Rebuilding walls, repairing damage and it's in that spirit that we reclaim our flag.' He said of the St George's Cross: 'We should be proud of that flag, we must never concede it, because it is an expression of our values and our patriotism.'
