What it is to be British

What is it about the British and flag waving? I ask after watching last night’s superlative BBC Proms, a brilliant end to the best season for years. On HD and wired to the hifi, it was all the better. As the end approached, my Czech mother-in-law asked: if this is Britain’s flagship musical event, why are there so many foreign flags?

It’s hard to explain. Britain has a mutating relationship with flags and nationality. Twenty years ago, the Union flag was used in England matches, then devolution came and the St George’s cross made an emphatic comeback. I’m sure I saw a Cornish flag last night, and at least one Saltire, so part of it is regionalisation.

But then we must consider what I call the Wimbledon phenomenon – a very English tournament where we supply the venue and the trophy but seldom the winners. In many ways, we have a Wimbledon economy: the City, for example, has soaked up talent worldwide and foreigners have many of the top jobs.