I'm fully in favour of those sentiments. However, I sensed during the recent Olympics that we have at least managed to reclaim the Union flag. One of the reasons given by our politically correct masters for it's non-display is that it had been hijacked by far right extremists and was therefore offensive to ethnic groups. Well, I think from the number of Union flags being flown around the country over the summer by ordinary people from all walks of life, we have shown what we think of that.

It's odd that you have been are far more likely to see the red cross flag of England being flown in England than the Union flag. This is partly because, in international soccer competitions (which the country goes wildly patriotic and optimistic about with complete disregard to the fact that we have not featured in a final since 1966) we compete separately as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland whereas at the Olympics we compete united as Great Britain and Northern Ireland. But with our major success at the last two Olympics we are seeing more of the Union flag.

I think flags are quite important to nations. Yesterday, the format of the referendum on Scottish independence was agreed and this will now take place in 2014. There will be a lot of debate about whether independence will be good or bad for Scotland and indeed the Union. If they do go for independence they will be flying "The Saltire" not the Union flag. In fact, we might have to reformat the Union flag to remove the blue and white elements derived from the Scottish saltire. I just hate to think about that.