As usual, we are left celebrating St Patrick's Day, which is OK for me because I have Irish origins and my wife is Irish.

However, the 75 per cent of me that is English would like my Englishness, as distinct from Gordon's political ideas of Englishness, recognised in a similar manner.

No politician has been able to explain why St George's Day - April 23 for the uninitiated - is not declared a public holiday.

OK, we do share the poor individual with other countries.

I suspect, like the ubiquitous milkman, St George was not that saintly, and got around quite a bit.

The Scots, Welsh and Irish, including their politicians, take pride in their patron saints, so why don't we?

MICHAEL HEAVEY Oxford Road Old Marston Oxford