Thread by @DMinghella

Let's talk about patriotism, shall we? People who love their country don't sit on their hands and do nothing when they know an infection is sweeping across their country.

Let's talk about patriotism, shall we? People who love their country do not destroy their country's trading position with the world's biggest trading union, or promise "free trade" and deliver the opposite, or deliver barmy borders within their own country.

Let's talk about patriotism, shall we? People who love their country do not run down its health service for a decade, leave its staff hideously unprotected, promise them a reward in due course and then offer them 1%.

Let's talk about patriotism, shall we? People who love their country do not exploit a pandemic by gifting HUGE contracts to their mates, pub landlords and donors, then hide those contracts and fail to hold useless "suppliers" to account.

Let's talk about patriotism, shall we? People who love their country do not illegally and disgracefully close down its Parliament, lie to its Queen, and deny its people the right to protest.

Let's talk about patriotism, shall we? But when we do, let's talk about it with people who care for others, who value decency and compassion, who are on the side of the people, and the rule of law, and who are genuinely interested in our communities and our prosperity.