Labour Refuses to Champion English Identity in Local Government Reforms – Guido Fawkes

Labour Refuses to Champion English Identity in Local Government Reforms

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Starmer kicked off PMQs with a call to use St. George’s Day to celebrate “our history, our values, our culture” – he already used a Downing Street reception on it to attack Reform. This is despite the fact that the day has been moved to next Monday because no saint’s day can occur in the week before or after Easter…

A series of written questions from Kevin Hollinrake has tried to eke out any support for English identity from MHCLG, which is running the Council for the Nations and Regions as well as devolution in general. Unsuccessfully…

Labour was asked what it was doing with its council to “support the (a) English national identity and (b) interests of England.” All ministers could say was that mayors will “have the opportunity to have their identities and interests represented at the Council of the Nations and Regions.” Nothing England-specific…

Asked if Rayner will make it her policy “to champion (a) the English national identity and (b) pride in England,” Labour refused and could only say it wants “to see all of England access devolved power by establishing Strategic Authorities that can make key decisions to drive economic growth.” It could not explain in a separate written question how ‘Strategic Authorities’ will do anything for pride in England or English national identity and said a new “Mayoral Council as an England wide body, together with the Leaders Council allows for senior elected members in the country to demonstrate collective leadership.” Labour’s answer to national pride: strategic authorities and three new quangos…