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The Times & The Sunday Times
The Times & The Sunday Times
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British day of unity?

The Times
The Times

Sir, Your report “British Day of Unity. . .” (Jan 14) on Gordon Brown’s plans to have us all fly the Union Jack makes no mention that this year is the 400th anniversary of that flag.

King James VI of Scotland ascended to the English throne and became James I of England in 1603. At that time the flags of England and Scotland on land were, respectively, the red St George’s Cross and the white St Andrew’s Cross. But because of confusion as to what flag would be appropriate at sea, it was proclaimed on April 12, 1606, that: “All our subjects in this our isle and kingdom of Great Britain and the members thereof, shall bear in their main top the red cross commonly called St George’s Cross and the white cross commonly called St Andrew’s Cross joined together according to a form made by our heralds and sent to our Admiral to be published to our said subjects.”

The Scots have never been too happy with the precedence of St George’s Cross over St Andrew’s in the Union Jack — St George’s Day is most certainly not the best day to proclaim “British Day”. I suggest April 12, the flag’s anniversary. And why not do it this year?

TERRY RANSOME

Hitchin, Herts

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Sir, The British will demonstrate their Britishness by ignoring Gordon Brown’s call to fly the flag. They would, however, welcome a “Britishness” holiday as an excellent excuse for more binge drinking.

KENNETH CLAY

Christchurch, Dorset

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Sir, Not having a national day defines being British as much as not having a written constitution, a codified law, or a history of revolution. Nelson understood the importance of freedom, Brown doesn’t.

CHRISTOPHER MARTIN

Wootton Bridge, Isle of Wight

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Sir, Is it British to debate what it means to be British?

CLIVE BONE

Bideford, Devon

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Sir, The greatest gift this nation has given to the world is its parliamentary democracy. This started when King John was obliged to sign the Magna Carta on June 15, 1215. This should be our “National Day”.

Also it is one month ahead of the French.

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IAN O’HANLON

Bournemouth