Starmer urges Labour candidates to fly the flag for St George's Day

Keir Starmer has written to all of Labour's general election candidates urging them to mark St George's Day "with enthusiasm" and to "fly the flag" across the country as he attempts to outmanoeuvre the Tories on national identity.

- Pippa Crerar

The Labour leader is trying to reassure swing voters that the party has changed under his leadership after a perceived lack of patriotism under Jeremy Corbyn, who often appeared uncomfortable with British institutions and symbols and argued for a "progressive patriotism".

However, Starmer told the candidates that "real patriotism" was not just about respecting shared "symbols and sentiments", but also about serving the country, whether that was through the armed forces, the NHS or as politicians.

Starmer's shadow cabinet will gather "deep in the English countryside" today for a primarily symbolic meeting at which he will argue that patriotism is a force for good, including in breeding the next generation of sporting talent.

Yesterday the Labour leader addressed his internal critics in an article for the Sunday Telegraph, telling them that he has "no time" for those who "flinch" at the St George's flag. He also warned against the flag being surrendered to the far right: "We cannot allow it to become the preserve of the tiny minority who want to drive hatred in our communities."

Separately, Starmer is facing discontent from Labour MPs over the prominent use of the union flag in election campaign material amid concern that it may alienate ethnic minority voters and others.

Labour insiders have pointed to polling from More In Common in 2019 that found when people were asked whether seeing the British flag flying made them feel "good" or "bad", 75% of respondents replied "good".