The Archbishop of York has said many people in England feel left behind by “metropolitan elites in London and the South East” and are “patronised as backwardly xenophobic”.
Writing in the Telegraph, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell called for “an expansive vision of what it means to be English”.
He added that stronger regional government in England would help the country “rediscover a national unity”.
Speaking on the loss of national identity in England, Archbishop Cottrell, who was born in Essex, wrote: “Many English people feel left behind by metropolitan elites in London and the South East, and by devolved governments and strengthened regional identities in Scotland and Wales.
“Their heartfelt cry to be heard is often disregarded, wilfully misunderstood or patronised as backwardly xenophobic.”
“What we need is an expansive vision of what it means to be English as part of the UK. This will help us rediscover a national unity more fractured than I have ever known it in my lifetime,” he added.
He said the “English votes for English laws” procedure, which was introduced in 2015, had “not served our Parliament well”.
In response to Archbishop Cottrell’s comments a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “We are investing billions of pounds to support and regenerate local communities, empowering people to have more control over their areas.”
Unity News Network (UNN) Staff Writer | To find out more details about our staff, please head to the About Us section on our website.
