This week ConHome is highlighting some of the big seven themes that will characterise our blogging in the run up to the General Election One of the themes is patriotic renewal. Yesterday Frank Field MP wrote about the teaching of British history. Donata Huggins has discussed a 'British Day' and a television focus on great figures from British history. Tomorrow Brandon Lewis will look at promoting British tourism.
Today Jeremy Hunt MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, looks at the contribution of sport to patriotic renewal.
Last Sunday’s Ashes victory was a feel-good moment that we really needed. Even the outrage over the release of the Lockerbie bomber was pushed briefly off the front pages as the nation was gripped with excitement. The Today programme gloatingly reported the depressed coverage in Australia – but when it is the Aussies we are allowed to gloat aren’t we? Meanwhile our victorious sportsmen, perhaps remembering the post 2005 disappointment, behaved with great dignity and aplomb.
It has not always been easy to be proud of sport in Britain. Last week's violence at Upton Park was an ugly reminder that only a few years back football hooliganism was a massive blight on our sporting reputation. Let's hope swift action by the footballing authorities makes what happened a one-off - as well as a reminder we can never be complacent.
A country’s characteristics are often reflected in the way their play sport. Australian doggedness was perfectly exemplified by their resistance on Sunday. Brazilian flair flows through their football team. For many Andrew Strauss typified British decency in the way he reacted to victory at the Ashes.
If sport defines nations, at its best it also unites them.
You only have to look at the response to our athletes’ stunning success in Beijing last year to see how sport lifts a nation. Sporting glory inspire even those who normally have no interest in sport at all. How else can you explain the cult status accorded to Olympic athletes winning in sports that so few people take part in or even normally watch?
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