‘Being proud to be English shouldn’t be controversial’ claims Ella Kennedy-Allen, 47, County Durham.

To me, the flag of England represents home.

It isn’t about politics or pretending our history is perfect. Every nation has moments in its past that deserve reflection – but that shouldn’t mean feeling ashamed of who we are today.

I’ve often wondered why it’s perfectly acceptable to be proudly Scottish, Welsh or Irish, yet expressing pride in being English can sometimes feel uncomfortable or even controversial.

Ella Kennedy-Allen, 47, Telegraph reader

Patriotism and nationalism are not the same thing. Loving your country doesn’t mean believing it’s better than anyone else’s. The St George’s Cross is a symbol of belonging, our history, traditions and shared identity. I believe we should be able to celebrate England in the same way other nations celebrate theirs: with pride, honesty and respect. Being proud to be English shouldn’t require an apology.

Patriotism is appreciating the country that shaped you – its history, traditions, culture and communities – while recognising that no nation is perfect. Nationalism in some cases means believing your country is somehow superior to others. The two are often confused, but I don’t believe they should be.

Somewhere along the way, I feel the St George’s flag became viewed through a political lens rather than simply as England’s national flag. As a result, I think some people now hesitate to display it, or even say they’re proud to be English, for fear of how it might be perceived – which is a shame because, to me, a national flag should first and foremost be a symbol of identity, heritage and belonging.

People hesitate to display the English flag for fear of how it might be perceived - Jim Wileman/Jim Wileman msn.com