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'Politicised Englishness most potent force in contemporary UK politics' - think tank

By Emily Price
Police watch on as counter-protesters wave England flags at the 'Defend Refugees, Stand Up To Facism' rally, organised by Stand Up to Racism, near the Cresta Hotel in Altrincham, Cheshire - Danny Lawson / PA Media

Emily Price

Analysis of English political attitudes suggests that Keir Starmer’s efforts to resolve the linked protests around flag-flying and "asylum hotels" is unlikely to settle longstanding discontent among large numbers of the English electorate.

A review by the Wales Governance Centre of data gathered by the Future of England Survey between 2011 and 2024 suggests that the root of the problem is the lack of an effective political voice for England.

The think-tank based in Cardiff concluded that this has led to a militant political Englishness and, critically, the radicalisation of middle England.

The survey’s most recent publication, The Shameful Conquest of England (2025), highlighted that anger and fear are the emotions most associated with those members of the English electorate who identify primarily as English rather than British.

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'Frustration'

The Centre says this group is the bedrock of Reform UK support and overwhelmingly provided the electoral impetus for Brexit.

Professor Ailsa Henderson of the University of Edinburgh said: "For more than a decade our Future of England Survey data have tracked English frustration with political life in the UK.

"There is no shortage of grievance, about the EU, about resources going to Scotland, about immigration and about a lack of English political voice in the UK.

"The latest political developments suggest two things.

"First, there remains a fundamental problem with efficacy in England.

"Folks don’t think their voices matter, they think that England is poorly served by its political system and keep identifying foreigners – Europeans, Scots, immigrants - as the source of the problem.

"Second, since none of the previous efforts to address this have solved the grievance problem - not Brexit, not English Votes for English Laws, not metro mayors – there is little reason to believe radical immigration changes will either.

"But address the efficacy issue and the grievance might well resolve itself."

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Protests

In recent weeks, the red and white St George's Cross and Union Jack flags have been raised along streets in England amid protests against asylum seekers and refugees.

Some areas of England have seen roundabouts, pedestrian crossings and buildings  spray painted with the English flag - although some so-called patriots in Hereford accidentally painted Denmark's flag on a roundabout.

A roundabout near Ysgol John Bright on Maes Du Road in Llandudno was daubed with the St George's flag, which symbolises the Patron Saint of England.

The vandalism spilled over the border into Wales at several spots with England flags and fascist symbols plastered around some areas including a village in Cwmbran.

Professor Richard Wyn Jones of Cardiff University said: "As flags continue to proliferate on roadsides and bridges and as Farage’s Reform – a party that in England enjoys overwhelming support among those who emphasise their English identity – continues to lead in the polls, it is clear that politicised Englishness is the most potent force in contemporary UK politics.

"In this, our latest investigation of English politics, we show how 'anger’ and ‘fear’ have come to characterise the political attitudes of the English.

"Those who wish to understand the on-going radicalisation of middle England should start here."

A copy of the Wales Governance Centre's full report and the underlying data is available here.

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14 comments

Robert

I just hope England demands independence...

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J Jones

No, repatriation. Since they crossed the channel in their small boats the English have continued to show contempt for the indigenous people, language, culture, history, standards, of these islands. The only problem is that the no amount of money will persuade the mainland countries to take them back.

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Steve D.

Kick out every immigrant in England and - the discontentment will still be there. What would Farage do once every immigrant is booted out (hypothetically) and the discontentment is still there? Who to blame next? The only thing that could (for the English) resolve the problem is a Britain made up of independent countries.

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Jeff

Not white, not male after that. NHS sold off, land sold for fracking and coal and oil. Farage will tank the uk more completely than truss and have his goons on tap wrapped up in flags. Don't forget these flag bothered will make useful brown shirts. (See ICE in the US)

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John Ellis

'The only thing that could (for the English) resolve the problem is a Britain made up of independent countries.' I recall - some time in the last five years or so - reading about the findings of a polling agency who'd surveyed attitudes in England towards the other nations of the UK and found that a majority - though not a big one - of those polled actually favoured England being separated from the rest of the UK. The main reason seemed to be resentment arising from their sense that English public money was endlessly poured into 'the Celtic fringe' in subsidies when they thought it ought to be spent in England.

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Frank

That means that the English would have to be kicked out too after all they came here in boats too!!

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Steve Woods

Pandering to Farage and his fan club is attempting to appease the unappeasable.

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andy w

The underlying theme of the protests is about having more opportunities for those born in England. Yet people are not supporting English organisations which then reduces those organisations size / global expansion / increases reliance on non-English organisations / leading to economic decline. Books used to be sold in high street shops; there are some specialist stores / Waterstones in town centres, but lots of people buy through Dublin registered Amazon that pays reduced taxes. So USA books will now be sold and UK book sellers will see their market share decline. Film making has declined in England - so less celebration of English culture in cinemas - so fewer jobs.

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Jeff

The underlying theme is colour and forrin.

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Dai Ponty

The 2 flags represents England for what it is a country full of Hate the Union flag we are not on it thank god and we do not want to be named the Butchers apron for good reason as well. The other the cross of St George who is not even English they say its for Patriotism its not most of those are English far right Nationalists not only stirred by Farage and Badenock but by the likes of the Daily Mail Daily Telegraph and Daily Express along with the Far Right wing G B News spouting hatred some Labour M P,s have had death threats its only a matter of time before some Right wing nut job murders a Labour M P or any M P from other Parties who oppose them dont forget THE LEADER OF A COUNTRY FARAGE ADMIRES MOST IS PUTIN he has stated this on more than one occasion

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Basil

England is too large to be governed effectively. If it were an independent country it would be the second largest in the OECD after Turkey without any form of regional government. Meanwhile the average US state has a population of 6.8m. It's time to divide and rule England.

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Rob

Thats for England to decide. There may be a case for greater devolution across England, however they are still a single nation and that needs to be recognised as such.

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Basil

Historically not though. Historically seven petty kingdoms that only united as a temporary military alliance to fend off the Danes. No-one was asked about turning it into a political ever closer union.

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Rob

It’s interesting how in Wales (and Scotland too) we are often branded ‘anti-English’ simply because we want more self-determination, or because we don’t cheer for their football team. Yet the reality is the biggest threat to English identity comes from the politicians from both the left and the right. Those who associate Englishness with the far right, or those who prefer to fold it into a vague Britishness. If English identity were encouraged in its own right, it would make the distinction between England and the United Kingdom become more clearer. In that sense, English and Welsh nationalists actually share common ground: both want their nations recognised. That’s why criticising ordinary English people for flying their flag can seem hypocritical when we defend our own. And remember, it was the Conservatives who scrapped English Votes for English Laws. If Westminster can undermine England’s identity, then what stops them doing the same to Wales or Scotland? We see the same thing today with Reform supporters across England waving the St George’s Cross more than the Union flag. Why? Because ‘British’ is a political construct, not a nation in its own right. They identify themselves as English, and rightly so. So why should we not identify ourselves as Welsh first and foremost?

Reply

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