I think Monty Python should come up with the name and theme song. Maybe Nancy-boy day...

Would I seem vapid if I just wanted an extra day off work? Anyway, sounds like a good idea in theory. And Billy Bragg has never steered me wrong before

I'd prefer Britain to be disolved into its constituent nations, but if that isn't going to happen I think a "Celebrate Britain" day is a good idea.

A good way of fighting back against the corrosive effect of multiculturalism.

One of yesterdays papers quoted Jack Straw saying he would like to see a union jack in every garden. What a horrible horrible idea. Extreme nationalism is a very dangerous thing, patriotism for patriotism's sake is the first step towards fascism and totalitarianism. the idea of a pledge of allegience is one that should be consigned to the dustbin of history, not promoted as a solution to terrorism (for fuck sake people, can't you see that all of the governments solutions to terrorism serve only to increase their power and control and restrict freedom?)

The reason he wants this kind of idiotarian approach is because he can see what's going on in America where patriotism is the presidents first line of defence against dissenting public opinion of foreign policy, against criticism, and he is able to mobilise millions of loyal spies and footsoldiers to censor and intimidate anyone who might disagree with what the government is doing in the name of the american people.
that is a very attractive resource to any government, but it is such a dangerous step because if it requires a dumbing down of public discourse and an aggressive attack on intellectualism and critical thought.

It is so ridiculous that Wales, NI and Scotland have independent parliaments but England doesn't.

As for their being an emphasis on English sport - people forget that more people live in the London area alone than live in Scotland & Wales put together!

Now that we are part of the EU, there is simply no need for the UK nor the British Commonwealth. Both are anachronisms.

will a celebrate britain day be accompanied by some kind of rememberance day for british citizens to reflect and feel remorse for all the horrific crimes carried out by the British State in the name of Britain over the decades and centuries?

Will the british people remember their treatment of the peasants of Kenya during the Mau Mau revolt in the 1950's (or the conditions that led up to this revolt) while you're celebrating the might of the British Empire? Will you celebrate the British Forces Collusion with Unionist terrorists in Northern Ireland or their Anti Catholic Laws that led to the armed resistance in the first place? What about Cromwell, one of your national heroes who butchered his way across Ireland murdering men women and children indiscriminately. What about the genocide of the american Indians by the British Empire (the British were the first to give the Indians smallpox infected blankets).
There are thousands of shameful incidents in British recent and distant past. If it is suitable to celebrate Britain's greatness, it should also be necessary for the British people to acknowledge the terrible crimes of their nation and pledge to never repeat them. Otherwise you are writing a blank cheque for more massacre and conquest.

[Edited on Jan 15, 2006 by Akrasia]

my first though was, what a blatant popularity exercise, knowing that a ridiculous amount of pople would vote for him simply because he got them a day off work to celebrate being british. but you're probably bang on with the brainwashing idea too. there are some things americans do very well, that i'd be happy were we to emulate over here, but anything that allows that man to not only remain in power for eight years, but have the american people not rise up and revolt when he repeatedly breaks laws and make massive inroads into their civil liberties, is not on my list.

I really don't see anything negative about this, even if it's kind of an invented holiday - it's got good intent behind it.

And besides: Billy Bragg likes it, and he's the man.

An extra day off work and a chance to walk round and actually celebrate our nationality in this country rather then moan

I'm game !!

That would irritate me no end.

Getting rid of remembrance sunday would be a very horrible thing todo. But it would not surprise me if they did try to do it in a few years time when they believe they could get away with it.

what kinds of events do you think would best celebrate the British Identity? Should everyone put on bowler caps and open doors for ladies in corsets?

Or will it be like St Patricks day? a parade and a piss up, cause st patricks day doesn;t do a huge amount to instil national pride the next day when we see what a mess we made of the place and we're all dying of a hangover, and St Patricks day is aimed more at the Irish people abroad who miss home, than at instilling a sense of patriotism in Ireland.

What would Britain day be like? Loads of jingistic documentaries on BBC about the brave fight against the germans and revisionist festivals celebrating the greatness of the British empire? Will british subjects all go around just feeling free and prosperous all day (as long as they're not wearing anti war t-shirts and being charged with terrorism like John Catt, the 80 year old Ex RAF WW2 pilot who was arrested and is awaiting trial under the terrorism act for wearing a t-shirt suggesting Tony Blair is a war criminal) Or as long as you don't make any unauthorised political statement within a kilometer of the British parliament

I would hope a british day would be more based on the ideal of something like a community get together. But you just know in the end when its all said and done it would just become another corporate day with all the crap you could want to buy and british day cards aswell