The English Imaginary? Thoughts on the UK Election

This first period of the UK election has got me thinking less about policy, and more about parachutes and patriotism. Yes really. And what they mean for cross-nation understanding and knowledge.

It’s not exactly Roger Moore escaping the KGB by parachuting off a ski-jump, but Labour have been accused of “parachuting” favoured London-based candidates into safe seats in Swansea and Cardiff. Those are matters for party decision-making, and the electorate of course. And should Torsten Bell be successful, Swansea West will have one of the policy world’s sharpest minds representing it at Westminster.

We will find out soon enough if it’s a case of the constituencies who loved me, but unlike Bond’s parachute into the Swiss Alps, the one thing you won’t see on Welsh or Scottish Labour material is a Union Jack. Despite it being front and centre of Labour and Kier Starmer’s branding.

As we discussed in last month’s newsletter, the “English imaginary” of decision-making, and political structures, is a perennial issue. We spotted a government office in Edinburgh recently with “UK Government” in large letters on its front. And alongside the Cardiff office, they are the only two HM Government buildings in the United Kingdom which are branded “UK Government” (elsewhere they have department names and/or HM Government branding).

So, on the one hand we have this attempt to highlight Britishness to Welsh and Scottish audiences, yet on the other hand we have a Britishness that only exists and transmits to an English audience. And the use of GB and Britain makes one wonder about the role of Northern Ireland in political messaging, and are decision-makers in UK administrations ready for what might happen with the Dáil elections which must happen soon? It can leave even us policy wonks a bit shaken, stirred and confused… more about parachutes and patriotism. Yes really. And what they mean for cross-nation understanding and knowledge.

Dewi Knight, Director