Londoners are strange - and London is a different planet

http://nationalcollective.com/2013/0...token=88102104

Interesting that some of the posters in the comments actually seem to think Scotland will vote yes in the referendum. Are they lacing the Irn Bru with hallucinogen?

I've read the article but didn't bother with the comments. A few observations:

Firstly, the phrase 'North South divide' usually refers to the differences between northern England and Southern England, not England and Scotland.

Secondly, the pictures of Union Jack bunting in London date from one of the recent events, the Queen's Jubilee, or the royal marriage. Bunting isn't up all the time.

Third, Union Jack motifs have been very popular internationally for a while. I was in Vienna a couple of years ago, and there you could get entire three piece suites in Union Jack upholstery and all sorts of other Union Jack tat. Ever since the sixties and 'swinging London' the Union Jack has been a fashion motif that goes in and out of popularity. The same is not true of the saltire or the flag of St George. Here in Edmonton Alberta in the last couple of weeks I've seen a teenager in a Union Jack sweater and another with a Union Jack bag. They probably bought them locally, and the young people probably bought them as fashion items, not because they are British by descent.

In fact, nowadays in England, you tend to see the Cross of St George flown more often than the Union Jack. CofE churches, for example, now fly the St George where they would once have flown the Jack. Football supporters likewise, town halls too, etc. etc.

The change is in response to devolution and Scottish and Welsh nationalism, but personally I regret it, because I prefer the look of the Jack. If we are to use an English flag, I prefer the three lions on the Royal Standard of England. The red cross on the St George makes me think first of The Red Cross charity, not of England. But that's just me.

I suppose I should really be posting this in the 'pissed off' thread, but will people get the name and usage correct PLEASE, it's only the UNION JACK when flown on a ship, at all other times the correct name is the UNION FLAG..

"From early in its life the Admiralty itself frequently referred to the flag as the Union Jack, whatever its use, and in 1902 an Admiralty Circular announced that Their Lordships had decided that either name could be used officially. Such use was given Parliamentary approval in 1908 when it was stated that “the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag”"

http://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/brit...he-union-flag/

You've been abroad too long Mikelincs. Some rules have exceptions to them. This is one. Union Flag is also correct, but personally 'Union Flag' makes me think of the stars and stripes - civil war vintage.

Crikey Michael! You don' arf get in a tizz!

I will remember that. I will, I will!!!!

No, Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon have been practising their hypnotism.

While the rest of you have been listening to Cameron ? Or Farrage ?

blink - and the next government will be ...

I would like to know if there is a movement afoot to change the flag or the national anthem or if the Queen will rule Britannia till she pops her clogs - not that it matters much

I've known quite some level headed Scotsmen. Could have been a chip on both shoulders

Level-headed ? Well someone had to go and run the Empire for you lot ! Now the Empire has gone and the deal is off !

Incidentally I used the North-South dichotomy here to remind readers of that archaic usage of "North Britain" to mean Scotland, but that is the subject for another thread.

Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don't look around my eyes, look into my eyes, you're under...

Yes, Mr Salmond... I understand.

Here's a southern data point: I had my UK place appraised this week with a view to selling. In 6 months the price has be revised up 80k. Is this good? No not really, when you consider buying back into that market for a change of location on arrival.

The flag is fine, no need to change that. Personally I would like to see the anthem changed to either Land of hope and glory or Jerusalem. I hope the queen sticks around for some time yet.