By Anna Tomforde Jun 8, 2006, 14:03 GMT
London - The flag of St George, the symbol of English patriotism since the 12th century, is fluttering proudly from cars, council homes and official buildings once again as Britain is firmly in the grip of World Cup fever.
England's goalkeeper Paul Robinson makes a save during the training of the England World Cup Team in Buehlertal, Germany, Tuesday, 6 June 2006. EPA/ULI DECK
Until a few years ago, public use of the distinctive flag, a red cross on a white background, was restricted to supporters of right-wing nationalist groups, such as the extreme right British National Party (BNP).
But a debate over what is 'Britishness', and whether there is a separate 'English identity', has in recent years encouraged wider use of the flag of St George, named after the patron saint of England and adopted by Richard I (Lionheart) during the crusades.
The resurgence in the popularity of the St George's Cross, as it is known, was also fuelled by the devolution movements in Scotland and Wales in the 1990's.
Until then the Union Jack - the flag of the United Kingdom - was used to support the English football team - even bizzarely at games against Scotland where it was literally the flag of both nations.
Anything bearing the red cross of England has been selling at record levels this year - from flags to balloons, T-shirts, air fresheners, bottle openers and wristbands.
According to the Times nerwspaper, manufacturers estimate the demand for the plastic, fabric or paper flags to be double that of four years ago in the build-up to the last football tournament, when 30 million flags were sold.
Ironically, most of the England flags on sale in Britain are manufactured in China and Eastern Europe.
Supermarket chain Sainsbury's said it was on track to sell more than 750,000 flags of St George, and Tesco expects to sell half a million of its Hong Kong-made flags.
Even Prime Minister Tony Blair, a keen football supporter, has chosen to fly the St George's flag, as opposed to the white-red-and blue Union Jack, above his Downing Street office.
'We will fly the flag on match days due to the special nature of the occasion. It is not insensitive to support one of the home countries when it is in the World Cup. As the prime minister has said, he supports all home countries when they are in action,' Blair's spokesman said.
Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, was the first minister to attach two England flags to her ministerial Rover, while David Cameron, the leader of the opposition Conservatives, has fixed a St George's flag to his bicycle.
Queen Elizabeth II will not be following their example, however. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: 'The Queen is queen of the United Kingdom, which is a very important symbolic role, and the only flag we fly is the Union Jack.'
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