I was criticised after the talk for calling myself English – rather than British. I have thought about this a lot. If I was born in Scotland – I would have no problem calling myself Scottish – in Wales – Welsh – so why should I – who was born in England – not call myself English. I accept the fact that often people use the word England – when they should mean Britain and an easy way of getting yourself thumped is to go to ask is that Glasgow, England – actually untrue – the average Glaswegian is extremely friendly – even to the English.
I know a lot of people – didn’t call themselves English as the word – and the flag – got taken over by the extremists – and to call yourself English was almost a suggestion that you were a thug – or caused trouble at football matches. Interesting the term ‘ooligan’ – in Japanese – has changed in meaning from hooligan – who was going to smash the place up – to hooligan – meaning English – within the context of being lively – possibly – with a red, white and blue painted face – possibly a little bit drunk – but in a pleasant way – due to the good behaviour – good nature – of the English football fans in the world cup.
Over the last year the St George’s cross and the word English has been recovered and is inclusive – and I actually feel proud to be English – proud of England – and I feel that we may be able to recover some of our lost sense of identity. I know there is still a lot of racism – and anti-foreigner feeling – but it is lessening.