Labour MP Tom Watson has put down an early day motion calling for the government to make St George's Day a "national day of celebration".

He said it was only fair that England should declare its pride in its national identity in the same way that Wales and Scotland do.

"I'm arguing that we shouldn't be ashamed of the flag of St George", he said.

He added that symbols of Englishness needed to be reclaimed by "moderate, tolerant" people, so that they weren't distorted by the BNP.