Brown's flag day divides opinion

He put forward the concept while addressing the left-of-centre Fabian Society in London and called for Labour supporters to "embrace the Union flag".

Brown said Britain did not have the patriotic symbols of the US, such as the Fourth of July, the Declaration of Rights or the Stars and Stripes seen flying in gardens.

But he added: "Perhaps Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday are the nearest we have come to a British Day - unifying, commemorative, dignified and an expression of British ideas of standing firm in the name of liberty."

The idea met with approval from religious as well as tourist and cultural groups. Sir Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said it would demonstrate the inclusive nature of British life.

"We would welcome such a recognition and celebration of Britishness which itself is of an inclusive nature," he said. "It recognises the diversity of our communities in our country."

Elliott Frisby, from VisitBritain, said a national day would raise the country's profile at home and abroad.

"I think it would be good to have something that encourages people to appreciate their own country - people sometimes seem too keen to get away," he said.

A spokeswoman from the British Council said: "We welcome the idea of a British Day if it gives people in Britain the opportunity to celebrate the positive aspects of our culture and the diversity and vibrancy of Britain today."

Former Prime Minister Sir John Major said: "I think Gordon is absolutely right to promote the concept of Britishness, particularly in the new diverse society that's grown up in the last 40 years or so."

But he added: "Some of his motives are so transparent I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. He seems not to mention that many of the actions of the present government have ruptured Britishness by their own legislation."

SNP leader Alex Salmond said Brown's plan would turn Remembrance Sunday into a "flag-waving jamboree" and prove "deeply offensive" to many people.

"The real trouble for Brown is that Britishness went bust long ago in Scotland and it is Scottish identity which is on the rise. Bulldog Brown is waving the wrong flag at Scotland."

The Tory shadow secretary of state for constitutional affairs, Oliver Heald, said all parties should be involved in such a project. "Building a more inclusive British society is a good thing, and we welcome any efforts to do so," he said. "However, this process needs a subtle and well-thought-out approach based on a wide consensus.

"Building Britishness should reflect the interests not of one party but of the whole country. Let us hope we can have a new approach of co-operation and consensus from Labour on constitutional reform and what it means to be British."

THE Chancellor joined a host of celebrities yesterday for a gala day at his local football team to mark a fans' buyout of the club.

Brown was instrumental in the deal that saw the community-based consortium complete the 1.3m purchase of Raith Rovers last year.