Prime Minister Praises English Values in St George's Day Address
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has marked St George's Day by celebrating what he described as quintessential English values: 'service, generosity, and respect'. During a reception at 10 Downing Street, he emphasized the importance of these principles in fostering national unity and community spirit.
Honoring Community Heroes
Sir Keir highlighted three individuals who exemplify these values. Isaac Davidson, a window cleaner from York, was recognized for his efforts in removing racist graffiti from a Chinese restaurant last year. George Sutherland, a volunteer at a food bank in Telford, was praised for his dedication to helping those in need, a story the Prime Minister had previously shared at the Labour Party conference in 2025.
Additionally, Sir Keir paid tribute to Ben Huntley, a nurse who cared for his brother, Nick Starmer, before his death from cancer on Boxing Day 2024. 'Sadly my brother passed on Boxing Day 2024 and it hit me like a bus,' Sir Keir said, his voice faltering. He added, 'But because of Ben, my brother always felt cared for and respected... Ben, I’ll never forget what you did for me and my family.'
Warning Against Division
The Prime Minister also issued a stern warning against divisive forces, both domestic and international. He stated, 'There are voices both here and abroad who would seek to divide us, who want to set us apart from each other.' Sir Keir specifically condemned recent attacks on synagogues and mosques, describing them as 'acts of violence designed to send a message to the Jewish and Muslim communities of this country that they are not safe.'
He reaffirmed a commitment to unity, saying, 'We reject their division completely, and we will fly our flag proudly. It’s our flag. It belongs to us, and we will fly it for the values that we believe in.'
Celebrity Presence and Light-Hearted Moments
The reception, held on Monday night, featured notable guests including multi-Olympic medal-winning cyclists Dame Laura Kenny and Sir Jason Kenny, who introduced Sir Keir. They reminisced about meeting the Prime Minister at the Pride of Britain awards. Fresh from a challenging session in the Commons, Sir Keir joked, 'It was great to meet you at the Pride of Britain Awards and to talk about everything but politics. I like those kind of evenings.'
Other celebrities in attendance included former England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman, ex-England footballer and Strictly Come Dancing winner Karen Carney, and actor Joe Thomas, known for his role in The Inbetweeners.
Emphasizing National Cohesion
Sir Keir concluded by underscoring the widespread nature of these values across England. 'These are three very different stories, all in different parts of England, but they’re bound together by the same values of service, of generosity, and of respect,' he said. 'They are examples of people stepping up in their communities... and yet in this country, they feel familiar because you will find them in every community across England.'
He called for continued solidarity, noting, 'Time and time again, when times get tough, we pull each other together and we pull each other up.' This event served as a poignant reminder of the enduring spirit of service and respect that defines English communities.
