By George...it's time we English celebrated with pride!

THIS Tuesday is St George’s Day and I will celebrate it at No10 with business leaders, charities and voluntary organisations.

- Esther McVey

It is only right we take time to honour our history, our heritage, and our character; reflect on what it means to be English and come together to toast that and be proud of being a part of this great country.

For a small nation we have punched well above our weight. We have defended the world not once but twice in two world wars – something that should never be forgotten. So many of our young men died to protect the freedoms of others, freedoms so painfully fought for, yet so easily given away.

England too was the cradle of the industrial revolution, the birthplace of the computer and the internet and of football, rugby and cricket.

A tiny country that discovered gravity and evolution and eradicated smallpox, that gave the world Shakespeare, Dickens and Bronte, Elgar, Britten and The Beatles, Constable, Turner and Banksy.

From standing up for peace and democracy to providing the platform the entire online world relies on. For creating some of the best music and art for the world to enjoy: England and the United Kingdom have led the way.