MAYOR RALLIES TO CELEBRATE ST GEORGE

Mr Johnson plans a week-long St George’s festival and will fly the red and white flag from City Hall on the saint’s day, April 23, after he admitted that the capital had ignored the occasion for far too long.

Cities up and down the country are also set to mark the occasion, from a parade and market displaying English food and gifts in Manchester, to live music in central Birmingham.

English Heritage has also organised events, including dragon trails and medieval pageants across England.

John Midgley, co-founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness, said Mr Johnson’s plans were a victory for common sense.

HAVE YOUR SAY: SHOULD ST GEORGE'S DAY BE A NATIONAL CELEBRATION?

He said: “It’s a refreshing change that someone of authority has got the guts to celebrate England’s patron saint and all that goes with it, instead of marginalising St George’s Day in the name of political correctness.”

Graham Smith, campaign organiser for the St George Unofficial Bank Holiday group, was delighted that London was making more of an effort to celebrate the day.

“It’s fantastic news,” he said. “There has always been some confusion with the English about identity. For decades, if not centuries, we have been programmed to believe we are British and the English identity has been subdued. But with the devolution of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and greater awareness of their identities, I think the English are beginning to realise the whole idea of being British is crumbling.”