WITH virtually all our colonies now gone and devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leading inevitably to the break up of the United Kingdom, the final curtain is being brought down on our imperial past.
As an Englishman, I find the prospect of England being free of its long colonial responsibilities and therefore able to find a new role on the world stage an exciting challenge.
Of course we can never return to the 'Old England,' when about 95 per cent of its people were WASPs (white, Anglo-Saxon protestant).
We have to build a 'New England' and try to ensure that all of its people treated as equal citizens.
Likewise, all permanent residents must become English citizens and pledge their loyalty to the English flag of St George.
England must be a modern, forward-looking nation, yet still retain its traditional belief in freedom, fair play, tolerance and compassion.
JOHN PORTER, Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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