Starmer claims Labour is 'the patriotic party' and vows to 'fight' extremists for the English flag on St George's Day as he faces Reform challenge LISTEN: Trump, Zelensky, the rise of Europe’s Far Right and what’s next for NATO – listen to Alas Vine & Hitchens wherever you get your podcasts.. By DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR and MATT STRUDWICK FOR MAILONLINE Published: 10:42 BST, 23 April 2025 | Updated: 10:44 BST, 23 April 2025 Sir Keir Starmer insisted Labour was 'the patriotic party' today as he used St George's Day to vow to 'fight for our flag and what it represents'. The Prime Minister, who faces a major electoral test next week at the hands of Nigel Farage's Reform, used a celebrity reception at No10 to warn of the 'never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents'. England rugby union captain Maro Itoje and ex-football captains Gary Lineker and Tony Adams were among those who joined him in Downing Street ahead of the patron saint's day. Speaking ahead of the event the PM set out Labour's patriotic credentials, citing the postwar rebuilding of the country and creation of Nato under Clement Attlee. Branding Reform 'a bunch of moaners without any answers' he told the Mirror: 'I'm really proud that Labour's the patriotic party. 'I think it's really important that we are proud of that history and assert it on St George's Day, as we will do. There is so much to celebrate about our country, and I'm really proud to be able to do that.' Labour is facing a major challenge from Reform in its heartlands in the local elections on May 1. They are also vying to take the Runcorn and Helsby Westminster seat in a by-election on the same day. The Prime Minister, who faces a major electoral test next week at the hands of Nigel Farage's Reform, used a celebrity reception at No10 to warn of the 'never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents'. England rugby union captain Maro Itoje and ex-football captains Gary Lineker and Tony Adams were among those who joined him in Downing Street ahead of the patron saint's day. Labour is facing a major challenge from Reform in its heartlands in the local elections on May 1. They are also vying to take the Runcorn and Helsby Westminster seat in a by-election on the same day. The premier shared his worries about the far-right claiming ownership of St George's Cross at a Downing Street reception held to mark the day of England's patron saint. At the Tuesday night gathering, Sir Keir said he was a 'proud Englishman' and praised England for its diversity, pointing to the difference between his 'working class' background and his predecessor Rishi Sunak, 'an English Hindu', who had both been able to become prime minister. 'That for me is something I think we should always be proud of and never take for granted,' Sir Keir said. But the Prime Minister added: 'Because, while this is a day for celebration, we cannot be under any illusions that there is a never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents. 'I'll put it this way, when I was standing in the old Wembley in 1996 - not many people sat down that day, it felt like that whole tournament embodied the best of our country. 'Yet now - there are people trying to sow division in our communities, people taking the red and white of our flag, like the bunting downstairs, with them, as they throw bricks at businesses.' Sir Keir pointed to the riots sparked by the Southport stabbings, which were fuelled by online misinformation and which Sir Keir has previously blamed the far-right for. At the Tuesday night gathering, Sir Keir said he was a 'proud Englishman' in front of guests including enormous England rugby union captain Maro Itoje Sir Keir said he had seen 'people throwing bricks at the very same police officers I was shaking hands with' when he visited the scene of the stabbings, adding: 'And that's why the battle for our flag is really important because that is what happened and that was only last year. 'So, we have to fight for our flag and for our values.' The aftermath of the riots 'showed what it means to be English', he added. Sir Keir continued: 'It marked the coming together of a country. People who got together the morning after, all across Britain with shovels, brooms and brushes, to clean up their communities. 'Rebuilding walls, repairing damage, and it's in that spirit that we reclaim our flag and that was incredibly uplifting to go from rioting to people coming out to do what they could for our country. 'So that's what we must do for our country, for English decency, honour and fairness. Wrench it out of the hands of those who want to divide this nation and reclaim it for good.' Gary LinekerKeir StarmerNATOTony Adams Share or comment on this article: Starmer claims Labour is 'the patriotic party' and vows to 'fight' extremists for the English flag on St George's Day as he faces Reform challenge Add comment