Main content

Patriotism: The Union Jack

Anne McElvoy and Afua Hirsch, Graham Bartram, Andrew Rosindell, Ash Sarkar and John Bew explore the history and future of the Union Jack in a year which has seen the Brexit vote.

Anne McElvoy explores the history and possible future of the Union Jack or Union flag in a year which has seen the Brexit Vote.

With:
Graham Bartram - chief vexillologist at the Flag Institute, who grew up in Scotland, Northern Ireland and West Africa
John Bew - professor of history and foreign policy at Kings
Afua Hirsch - Sky News correspondent, writing a book called Brit(ish) which will be published next year
Ash Sarkar - a senior editor for Novara Media and who hosts an online video series #OMFGSarkar
Andrew Rosindell - Conservative MP for Romford and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Flags and Heraldry Committee
With contributions on the design from Jonathan Meades and Amber Butchart.

At the Conservative Party Conference Theresa May's speech argued that the establishment must stop sneering at the patriotism of ordinary Britons. With renewed discussions about Scottish independence in the wake of the Brexit vote, what might this mean for the idea of patriotism in Britain - and for the flag which was created in 1606 as 'the flag of Britain', and which gained the name 'Union' in 1625.

Part of a week-long focus on Free Thinking on the idea of patriotism and why politicians of all stripes are claiming that their parties are the most patriotic.

Producer: Eliane Glaser.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Thu 22 Dec 2016 22:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Anne McElvoy
Interviewed Guest Graham Bartram
Interviewed Guest John Bew
Interviewed Guest Afua Hirsch
Interviewed Guest Ash Sarkar
Interviewed Guest Andrew Rosindell
Interviewed Guest Jonathan Meades
Interviewed Guest Amber Butchart
Producer Eliane Glaser

Broadcast

  • Thu 22 Dec 2016 22:00

Featured in...

The Arts & Ideas Podcast

The Arts & Ideas Podcast

You can download all the past episodes of Radio 3's Free Thinking

Discussions and talks from the Free Thinking Festival 2019

Discussions and talks from the Free Thinking Festival 2019

Angry politics, what we can’t say, being diplomatic, weeping, emotion in music, film & TV

Click to listen to discussions, talks and music as the Free Thinking Festival 2019 Gets Emotional

Click to listen to discussions, talks and music as the Free Thinking Festival 2019 Gets Emotional

Angry politics, what we can’t say, being diplomatic, weeping, emotion in music, film & TV

CLICK to LISTEN & SEE programmes from the Free Thinking Festival 2018: The One & the Many

CLICK to LISTEN & SEE programmes from the Free Thinking Festival 2018: The One & the Many

We examine the fast-changing relationship between the individual & the crowd

CLICK to LISTEN & SEE all programmes, images, clips & features from 2017's festival

Free Thinking Festival 2017: The Speed of Life