England’s most patriotic estate has scaled back its annual flag celebration as locals fear it may be perceived as “far right” or “racist.” St George’s Day, traditionally a celebration of English patriotism on April 23, has seen increasing nervousness in recent years. Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, South London, has long been a proud celebrator of England’s patron saint, adorned with numerous red and white murals and bunting.
However, event organiser Chris Dowse feels that “we’re not allowed to celebrate” being English anymore. “It’s being frowned upon by people, and then people start to quieten down and they don’t like to speak up,” Mr Dowse, 45, told the Express. “Some are nervous to celebrate being English. Whereas as far as I’m concerned, I’m not far right, I’m not racist, I’m from England, that’s my flag, and I’ll celebrate the fact that I’m English.”
This comes in the wake of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s call to “reclaim” the flag from far-right associations.
Speaking at a Downing Street reception marking St George’s Day, Sir Keir stated: “I do understand the fight over the flag, but that’s why we’ve got to reclaim it. It belongs to all of us.”
He referenced the riots following the Southport stabbings, adding: “And that’s why the battle for our flag is really important, because that is what happened and that was only last year.”
However, Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, criticised Sir Keir’s approach, arguing that both Labour and the Conservatives have “allowed an environment” where British citizens have “lost pride in their nation and its history.”
“Under Labour’s leadership, pride in being British has fallen by 22 percentage points,” he noted.
“This decline is due in part to an education system that appears more concerned with ideological influence than with genuinely educating and empowering our youth,” Mr Tice added.
He continued: “For patriotism to flourish, the British people must have confidence in their leaders and the unshakable belief that their government works for them – that they come first. This fundamental pillar of democracy has been lost under recent leadership.”
Mr Dowse believes that England should take inspiration from St. Patrick’s Day and the way the Irish celebrate, calling England’s festivities into question.
South London local Billy Williams shares Mr Dowse’s sentiment, expressing frustration that English people “don’t get the opportunities to celebrate our things.”
“When you do celebrate, you put everybody else’s nose out of joint. It upsets people because we’re celebrating something that’s supposed to be patriotic to us,” said Mr. Williams, 45, who was born in East London and later moved to Bermondsey.
He told the Express how “you used to see flags everywhere,” but now, the moment England flags are flown, “they start ripping them down.”
He added: “You can’t even mention anything about it because you’re classed as being racist.”
Mr. Williams reminisced about the London of his youth, where he knew every neighbor on every street. “It’s not like that anymore. It’s unrecognizable,” he said, attributing the decline in patriotism to the “influx” of migrants.
He and his friend, he believes, are “two of the last true ‘London cockneys.’”
“We’re the last of a dying breed,” he said.
Kirby Estate still has time to hang more flags as St George’s Day has been moved to next week.
The Church of England shifted this year’s celebration to Monday, April 28, due to a rule prohibiting it from being held during Holy or Easter Week, subsequently moving it to the week after the Easter fortnight.
A statement issued by the Church of England reads: “When St George’s Day or St Mark’s Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. If both fall in this period, St George’s Day is transferred to the Monday and St Mark’s Day to the Tuesday.”
Despite the shift, Mr. Dowse remains unconcerned, saying, “It’s not going to make any difference. We’ll celebrate twice.”
He firmly added: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s the 23rd of April, and that’s the day it’s always been and that’s the date it always will be.”
In true English fashion, Mr. Dowse and his family will mark the occasion with a fry-up for breakfast and pie and mash for lunch.