The Prime Minister will today (Thursday 23 April), on St George's
Day, vow to protect the bonds that hold our communities together
and strengthen Britain's resilience at home and abroad in a more
dangerous and volatile world.
He will warn that Britain is being tested on two fronts: abroad,
where global instability demands strong alliances and clear
values; and at home, where our social contract is increasingly
under strain from forces stirring division and hate.
Marking St George's Day, he will say that the flag of St George
belongs to "decency not division, unity over hate", and will make
clear he will not allow that flag to be hijacked as a smokescreen
for those stirring up hate or division on our streets, as we saw
in the riots.
In an era of growing instability, he will make clear that
populist politics threaten to exploit the fault lines in our
society, and that this must be defeated through British values of
unity, fairness and decency.
The Prime Minister will visit a community sports centre, after
hosting a St George's Day reception at Downing Street earlier
this week (Monday), to recognise the contribution people make
every day. He will say only by backing our communities through
the and supporting integration can Britain defeat the poison of
populism.
That means investing in our communities through the government's
£5.8 billion flagship Pride in Place programme, supporting 379
areas with high levels of deprivation, improving high streets,
parks and community spaces, and putting power directly into the
hands of local people.
But it also means strengthening community ties through the Social
Cohesion Action Plan to support integration, grounded in a
fairness of the two-way street: in rights, responsibilities, and
contribution.
Speaking ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister
said:
“A volatile world is testing our resilience, at home and
abroad.
“Abroad, we must be clear about our values. That's why I wouldn't
let Britain get dragged into a war in the Middle East. And at
home, we must build resilience in our communities. Because strong
communities are the bedrock of our national security.
“And let's be clear, there are two types of forces working
against that. Hostile foreign actors deliberately trying to stir
up hatred and even violence. And, here at home, those who exploit
division for their own ends instead of working to heal it.
“I will stand up to both. Because the quiet British patriotism:
people contributing, pulling together, looking out for one
another, is what makes us stronger.
“We saw that clearly during the riots. A mindless minority
brought violence and disorder onto our streets. But the
overwhelming majority chose a different path. Standing together,
protecting their communities, and showing the best of this
country.
“That is the patriotism I believe in. Not performative, not
divisive, but fair, respectful and proud.
“That is why, at this moment of deep global instability, we must
be absolutely clear about who we are. Because how we respond now
will shape this country for decades to come.
“That means when people try to hijack our flag to spread hate, we
should call it out for what it is: plastic patriotism that
corrodes the very bonds that tie us together.
“It also means backing the mainstream majority of people in this
country: the decent, tolerant people who want to get on and build
a stronger country, and it draws a hard line against extremism in
all its forms.
“I know what the flag of St George stands for. It stands for
decency over division. Unity over hate. And a country where
patriotism is measured by what you put in, not what hate you stir
up.
“Those are the values I will always fight for.
“And that is the job of this government: to strengthen our
communities, to confront those who seek to divide us, and to make
sure Britain remains a country that is united, resilient and
secure.”
