YEP Letters: April 23

Is city patriotic enough? Your views...

To mark St George’s Day today we asked members of the YEP’s reader panel and Memories of Leeds Facebook group the question “is Leeds too patriotic ... or not patriotic enough?” and here’s what some of them had to say...

Dave Kelly

I’d say Leeds is not very patriotic. I’d like to see the national flag being flown on government buildings and a visible presence of national pride in our city. The Irish know how to do it properly!

Eica Best

In Morley we celebrate St George’s Day every year with a parade, led by St George on his charger and a family fun day second to none.

Carol Caden

Not patriotic enough because it is looked down on by the so called “great and good”.

Valerie Davies

Let’s celebrate like never before and show how proud we are to be British.

Jason Rafferty

We are not allowed to be English! So, celebrating that day is frowned upon. Tell me the last time you noticed the flag of St George flying anywhere local? I will be celebrating it as I do every year.

Jean Norris

These days it is almost as if we are apologetic for being English. We have St Patrick’s Day parades in most big cities. Where is our pride in our own country? Patriotic - don’t make me laugh!

Stuart Corker

In my humble opinion, we’re not patriotic enough.

Janice Hobson

Not patriotic enough! St George’s Day should be a public holiday so we can celebrate our country together.

Maureen Robinson

Not patriotic enough. Come on Leeds Council you celebrate Valentine’s Day, St Patrick’s Day - how about St George’s Day?

Gail Watson

Bit sad really if you’re not proud of your heritage.

Ernest Polidori

If you go on holiday, say to Spain or Greece, the only nationality you will see with a flag either on a T-shirt, hat or a beach towel is the British. When I see it, it just makes me think why are we as a nation so insecure?

Susan Darbyshire-Beane

I don’t see anything wrong with celebrating St George’s Day. Why not? The Cypriots celebrate St George.

Betty Emberton

I think I might fly my Yorkshire flag instead.

Natasha Meek

In recent years, I feel the British have become more patriotic of their local surrounding area than that of the country. People are proud of their local community groups, shops, schools and even allotments because, due to hard times for a lot of people, communities are having to focus on looking after their own, so to speak.

James Lee

Both. Patriotism is too closely associated with national sporting prowess, too much the preserve of drunken England fans. Sports-wise, compare this with Danny Boyle’s sublime 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. Conversely, I welcome our great ambassadors, living or dead, for Brand Britain - Charles Darwin, David Attenborough, William Shakespeare, JK Rowling, Lucien Freud, Damian Hirst, David Bowie and The Beatles.

Lyn Facey

I can say that I am proud to be British although most of us, if we look back in our heritage, are made up from several different race and cultural backgrounds. I am proud that this country is populated by people from diverse ethnic cultures and we make people welcome. St George’s Day reminds me of the tale that he slayed a dragon to save the princess. As for celebrating St George’s Day, it will be just another day living in our city for me. Nothing more and nothing less.

Dennis Appleyard

Like many other concepts, patriotism is a double-edged sword. Great when it inspires noble deeds, achievement and ambition. But I worry when it is accompanied by delusions of superiority - our religion, our laws, our democracy should never be imposed on others! That way wars follow.

Joanne St Lawrence

Despite the powers that be trying their utmost to turn us into Europeans, I have always ruthlessly regarded myself, not even as British, but English. I was born in England, therefore I am English. And I regard anybody else born in England the same, no matter what their heritage. The Scots, Welsh and Irish have always been proud of their status and so should we. I might even get my England car flags out - they don’t get much of an airing now the England football squad don’t give me much opportunity!

Amy Green

We’re not patriotic enough. I’d love to see St George’s Day celebrated with as much vigour as St Patrick’s Day. We should be proud of our country and celebrate it more.

James Kirk

Not patriotic enough! It’s a scandal how leftist luvvies want to chip away at our national identity. That’s what Brexit was about, national sovereignty.

Philip Millard

Most look on being proud to be British as being racist. I’m not racist in any way but proud to be British, but not proud of my politicians.

Terry Sheard

St George’s Day should be a national holiday. The Irish celebrate St Patrick’s Day all over the world, along with anyone who has even the slightest drop of Irish blood, the Scots always celebrate St Andrew’s Day. Here in Australia, Australia Day is a national holiday. England should definitely celebrate St George’s Day.