Former Lib Dem chief Tim Farron draped himself in an England flag and declared his love for his nation on the opening night time rally of the celebration’s convention in Bournemouth.
“We is not going to have our historical past, our heritage, and our dwelling stolen by the poison of nationalism,” the MP roared as he known as on members to “reclaim patriotism” from the far proper.
Confetti cannons rained glitter over him because the brass bombast of Land of Hope and Glory rang out and a large union jack appeared on the display behind him.
The theatrics appeared to work, as a membership typically mocked for its mild-mannered method obtained to its collective toes and crammed the air with whoops of approval and the flutter of lots of of mini flags.
Farron informed a corridor filled with activists to “cease being so flaming squeamish and English” and reclaim the UK’s flags from teams who search to “divide and destroy”.
“Be pleased with your nation, the British flag and the flags of our 4 nations,” he mentioned. “They’re ours. They belong to all of us. Let’s take them again. Let’s wave them with delight.”
“Allow us to reclaim our flags for individuals who would reunite and rebuild, not divide and destroy, as a result of we is not going to yield our id, our flag, or our nation, to the nationalists.
“A Britain which may be damaged by the wickedness of hatred, pretend information and isolation, however a Britain that I passionately consider will not be past therapeutic.”
On the finish of his speech, the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale held aloft a large English flag bearing the slogans “Pleasure of Lancashire” and “Rovers til I Die”, in help of his soccer workforce Blackburn Rovers.
The Liberal Democrats are going all out this week to say that they’re the true patriots, in distinction to Reform UK chief Nigel Farage, who they’ve dubbed a “plastic patriot”.
They’ve even created a “plastic patriot” Farage Lego determine, which is included in a welcome pack being handed out to journalists.
For a celebration that has largely shunned flag-waving shows of nationwide delight, this can be a new departure.
However the celebration’s MPs are desperate to take the struggle to Reform and insert themselves into the nationwide debate, as St George’s Cross and Union flag are displayed in cities and cities throughout the UK.
Chief Sir Ed Davey was greeted by a flag-waving crowd of celebration activists as he led a marching band by means of Bournemouth Central Gardens, twirling a baton – a intentionally patriotic twist on his trademark stunts.
The band, which had arrived on the ferry from the Isle of Wight, performed Candy Caroline, a favorite amongst England soccer followers, as they got here to a halt in entrance of the Bournemouth convention centre.
Elsewhere, a bunch calling themselves “Bournemouth Patriots” protested exterior a lodge within the city getting used to deal with migrants.
The group stood with nationwide flags exterior of the Roundhouse Lodge within the centre of the city, and have been met by a counter-protest.
The Lib Dem chief informed reporters: “The overwhelming majority of people that’ve obtained first rate values, respect for the rule of legislation, tolerance, who love our nation just like the Liberal Democrats do.
“They need to see a celebration that’s true to British values however will change our nation.”
