BORIS JOHNSON is to stage a week of events in honour of St George, England’s patron saint.


Popular on LondonNet


“St George’s Day has been ignored in London for far too long,” said Johnson, “but I’m truly pleased to announce some fantastic events to mark this occasion.”

Among those treats are a food and drink party at Leadenhall Market, a Trafalgar Square folk concert and a family day at the Globe theatre.

Controversy dogged Ken Livingstone on the St George issue. The last mayor was accused of ignoring St George while providing funds for St Patrick’s Day events.

Livingstone’s case was that St George’s Day isn’t such a big deal for the English as St Patrick’s Day is for the Irish and that if there had been a genuine groundswell in favour of big St George celebrations, he’d have jumped on board.

But Johnson seems determined to lead from the front and, with folk music his weapon of choice, slaughter the dragon of political correctness and thereby single-handedly revive national spirits.

“We have much to be proud of in this great country; England has given so much to the world politically, socially and artistically,” roared the Mayor.

“St George’s Day is a time to celebrate the very best of everything English and the Cross of St George will proudly fly outside City Hall on April 23.”