Archbishop of York says English people ‘left behind’ by ‘metropolitan elites’ in London
National unity is ‘more fractured than I have ever known it in my lifetime’ says second most senior Church of England clergyman
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
The Archbishop of York has criticised “metropolitan elites” in London for treating people who are proud to be English as “backwardly xenophobic”.
Stephen Cottrell, the Church of England’s most senior clergyman after the Archbishop of Canterbury, said national unity was “fractured” and that English people are “patronised” and left behind by London and the South East.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the archbishop called for England to “rediscover a national unity” and urged for a strengthened regional government within the country to better serve local communities.
He said: “Many English people feel left behind by metropolitan elites in London and the South East, and by devolved governments and strengthened regional identities in Scotland and Wales.
“Their heartfelt cry to be heard is often disregarded, wilfully misunderstood or patronised as being backwardly xenophobic.”
The archbishop continued: “What we need is an expansive vision of what it means to be English as part of the United Kingdom.
“It is this that will help us rediscover a national unity now more fractured than I have ever known it in my lifetime.
“A first foundation would be a more developed and strengthened regional government within England.”
Mr Cottrell, who recently stepped up to lead the church when Justin Welby took a three-month sabbatical, said this would enable Westminster to lead on issues for the UK but would “empower” the separate nations and regions.
He also suggested that sports teams in England should sing their own anthem prior to a match if playing against other UK nations, before coming together to sing the national anthem, God Save The Queen.
“Then, when the different nations of the United Kingdom find themselves pitched against each other on the sports field, we could belt out our English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish anthems,” he said.
“Then sing our national anthem together. And love our neighbour.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments