'This S(c)eptic Isle': Notional Pride 4

 

All Images: West Leicester, August 2021

"In the era of the Zoom interview, it seems government ministers believe nothing signals their patriotic credentials like a union flag placed strategically in the background.  

"But away from spare rooms in ministers' homes, new spending figures also highlight the increasing embrace of the flag by the government under Boris Johnson's premiership - whether motivated by Brexit, Scottish nationalism or the so-called culture wars.

"Spending on union flags has increased in virtually every government department since Johnson entered Downing Street, with more than £163,000 spent this year and last.  It accounts for 85% of union flag purchases over the past four years." [1.]

[1.]: Ben Quinn, 'UK government spends more than £163,000 on union flags in two years', The Guardian, 6 August 2021.