Keir Starmer asks Labour candidates to ‘fly the flag’ on St George’s Day

Labour leader uses Telegraph column to emphasise his patriotic stance, but some worry it may alienate ethnic minority voters

Keir Starmer has written to all of Labour’s general election candidates urging them to mark St George’s Day “with enthusiasm” and to “fly the flag” across the country as he attempts to outmanoeuvre the Tories on national identity.

The Labour leader is trying to reassure swing voters that the party has changed under his leadership after a perceived lack of patriotism under Jeremy Corbyn, who often appeared uncomfortable with British institutions and symbols and argued for a “progressive patriotism”.