I have some very mixed feelings about Mr. Brown’s ideas about a day to celebrate Britishness. Indeed, the idea on one level may be paradoxical – Britain’s are characterised by the stiff upper ‘lip, and quiet respect for their country, rather than jingoistic flag waving, which I associate with Americans and vulgarity. Thus a public expression of Britishness would we innately unbritish.

Don’t get me wrong, I like being British – I loved beating the Australians last summer; I love old English beer; in the bbc I think we have the finest broadcasting company on earth, but this does not mean I want to put a flag up in the garden, or say ‘woo’ every time I hear the name of my country spoken. Such gestures of crass and puerile.

I know I am British, I do not need to remind myself or anyone else of it. Being British is being tolerant – about being tolerant of everyone upon this island, regardless of belief or skin tone or anyone else. It is this multiculturalism, not some vague idea of some mythic Britain, which should be celebrated. I may love British beer, but there is nothing more British, I’d maintain, than drinking a Belgian larger with a curry.

Yet, if tolerance is British, why can’t our schools be fully inclusive?

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