‘Every citizen who answer[s] the call of the country - policemen and women, our security and emergency services, our health services - all le[ave] their mark on this island's story by keeping us safe. They are the pride of Britain.
‘Just as our armed services with bravery and heroism every single day also make us proud. We mourn those who have been lost and we honour all those who in distant places of danger give so much to our country.’
So spoke Gordon Brown yesterday at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth.
In response to the patriotic sentiments here expressed, one feels tempted to respond: