Message
from Prime Minister David Cameron to Celebrate St. George’s Day
I want to send my best wishes to
everyone celebrating St George’s Day. Up and down the country – including here
in Downing Street -- the flag of St George is flying high and celebrations,
from the archaic to the eccentric, are taking place. In Plymouth, a patriotic
festival. In London, a great feast in Trafalgar Square. In Leicester, a
medieval re-enactment. And in Worcestershire, an annual ‘asparagus run’, to
welcome the new harvest.
St George has been England’s
patron saint since 1350. But for too long, his feast day – England’s national
day – has been overlooked. Today, though, more and more people are coming
together on or around April the 23rd, eager to celebrate everything it is to be
English.
And there is much to celebrate.
Because this is a country whose achievements in industry, in technology, in
sport, music, literature and the arts, far outweigh our size. Our counties and
cities are known the world over: In America, where Newcastle Brown Ale is the
most imported ale. In China, where the most popular international football team
is from London: Arsenal. In Australia, where they go mad for a Cornish cuisine,
the humble pasty. In South Korea, where Yorkshire-set Downton Abbey is a TV
favourite. And across the globe, where the best-selling band is from Liverpool,
the Beatles.
This St George’s Day, I want us
to reflect on one of England’s greatest achievements. Its role in the world’s
greatest family of nations, the United Kingdom.
In just five months, the people
of Scotland will go to the polls and decide whether they want to remain a part
of this global success story. So let’s prove that we can be proud of our
individual nations and be committed to our union of nations. Because no matter
how great we are alone, we will always be greater together.
So once again, to everyone across
England, I’d like to wish you a very happy St George’s Day. |
