Union Jack/Flag what does it mean/represent to you?

[William the Bastard]

I am asking this to all (especially those who live in countries that used to have it flying on a pole above their soil). I will post my own feelings on the matter once after I have read other peoples opinions.

Please keep your posts sensible. Thank You all.

Can't help myself cue the Elgar!!!

[-Conan the Barbarian-]

I have a question from an outsider's stance:

Is the United Kingdom becoming more and more divided by nationalism like English nationalism, Scottish nationalism, and welsh nationalism? If so do they want to become independent nations and why is this trend occurring?

[William the Bastard]

Is the United Kingdom becoming more and more divided by nationalism like English nationalism, Scottish nationalism, and welsh nationalism? If so do they want to become independent nations and why is this trend occurring?

Yes there is a lot of nationalism going on as Scots, Welsh and some parts of Northern Ireland (although Northern Ireland is for another topic) as they believe that they are stronger apart and make many references to countries of similar size in Europe that do fine on their own. They all have their own parliaments now as well. Personally I think 2 heads are better than 1 but any one who believes in breaking the Union apart is welcome to post. As for why this is occurring I couldn't give you a definitive answer but as posts come in lets just wait and see.

[Yorkshireman]

I have a question from an outsider's stance:

Is the United Kingdom becoming more and more divided by nationalism like English nationalism, Scottish nationalism, and welsh nationalism? If so do they want to become independent nations and why is this trend occurring?

Yes in some way's. The Scots (especially) and Welsh have always had a greater sense of individualty in the Union but I think now the English are catching up. The Scots and Welsh have their own parliament and assembley respectively and hopefully soon the same will occur in N.Ireland. In England, people are starting to look more inwards, we have complaints over Scots politicians voting on English issues for example.

I think the greater autonomy for each nation is fine and to be expected but I don't think we'll see the break up of the Union anytime soon. Theres alway's been a strong regional nationalism in the UK, but it's mainly now confined to the sports field. We're much stronger together and have been for the past 300 years.

[LoZz]

I have a question from an outsider's stance:

Is the United Kingdom becoming more and more divided by nationalism like English nationalism, Scottish nationalism, and welsh nationalism? If so do they want to become independent nations and why is this trend occurring?

polls suggest the vast majority of the uk wants to stay togther.

however i think each memberstate would like a bit more independance and maybe move to a state system like in the usa


for me the jack represents my nation and i am proud of it, nothing more realy to say

One odd thing I've found though is that a lot of Americans fondly imagine the Scots as being an oppressed people like the Northern Irish. This is complete rubbish, of course. You can see the culmination of this bizarre belief when you hear Americans talking about Robert the Bruce, William Wallace et al. as fighting against 'the British'. But we Scots are British! We are technically equal partners with the English; indeed, if you trace the current royal family's lineage back to James VI, technically the Queen is Queen of Scotland before being Queen of England.

very true, the scottish parliment even voted for the uk to be formed

[Zenith Darksea]

Well Scottish and Welsh nationalism are nothing new. In fact, they were probably at their strongest in the 1970's. I would say that devolution (Scotland and Wales getting their own parliament) will ultimately help keep the Union together - we've got what we wanted really (self-governance), and the only thing that made nationalism really thrive was the maladministration from London. Now that we can effectively govern ourselves, I don't really see the reason to break up the Union entirely. We certainly aren't going to see it happen for a while, if at all. Despite some of their more irritating tendencies, I generally live quite at peace with the English (I live in England, after all).

One odd thing I've found though is that a lot of Americans fondly imagine the Scots as being an oppressed people like the Northern Irish. This is complete rubbish, of course. You can see the culmination of this bizarre belief when you hear Americans talking about Robert the Bruce, William Wallace et al. as fighting against 'the British'. But we Scots are British! We are technically equal partners with the English; indeed, if you trace the current royal family's lineage back to James VI, technically the Queen is Queen of Scotland before being Queen of England.

[Anachronist]

My boxers im wearing today.

[Cassy]

Austin Powers, if anything.

[hunter260859]

The union flag (jack) represents my nation and im proud of it the union will never split up if there is at least one smart unbiased person in government as someone said earlier 2 heads are better than 1 but its more like 4 heads are better than 1

[General A. Skywalker]

The glorious British army (18th and 19th century)


(Battle of Bunker Hill, American Revolution)


(British in the Napoleonic Wars)


PS: I am German/Norwegian, not British!

[hunter260859]

It's a shame they don't bring the colours to battle anymore.

[General A. Skywalker]

It's a shame they don't bring the colours to battle anymore.

So true, my friend. Hope you like these gentlemen, too:


(Prussian Line-infantry, Napoleonnic Wars)

[Fianóglach]

It's a shame they don't bring the colours to battle anymore.

I can assure you that we do mate. On our vehicles, on our naafi mugs, on our shoulders, above our heads in quarters and on our skin.




For me the colours are one of the most powerful things on earth, growing up where I did, a flag or some paint on a wall is the end all. It stands for everything I have chose for my life and never ceases to inspire.

[General A. Skywalker]

I can assure you that we do mate. On our vehicles, on our naafi mugs, on our shoulders, above our heads in quarters and on our skin.

Might be, but unfortunately you don't dress like gentlemen any longer.

[the Black Prince]

On a side note it is technically the Union flag, but as the majority of the population refer to it as the Jack and always will, only pedantics would worry about it!

technicality aside, the Flag of Union, or Union Flag is the only possible correct name, unless your house is a military vessel in the service of her Majesty.

the Union Jack is the flag flown from the Jackstaff of a british warship when in port. Incidentally, the jack flown by US commissioned vessels is also called the Union Jack, and consists of a blue field with 50 white stars, though currently, by order of the secretary of the navy, USN vessels are flying the First Jack, a flag of red and white stripes.

what does the flag mean to me? Greatness. Imperial Power. Nobility. Excellence and Britishness.

[Syron]

doesn't mean anything to me.

[William the Bastard]

Let Al Murray give us all a lecture on British thinking.

[LoZz]

Let Al Murray give us all a lecture on British thinking.

LEGEND!

[wilting]

Historically; oppression and arrogance.

Contemporarily; just arrogance.

Sorry. Although please don't consider this a summation of my views on Britain/the UK.

[borya1978]

Let Al Murray give us all a lecture on British thinking.

I respect the British for many things, but as for their humor....