I AM somewhat bemused by Gordon Brown's efforts to celebrate a British Day.

We are so often told that we live in a global economy, so what is so significant in being British?

We have sold off nearly all our industries, many to foreign investors. There is probably very little that could be defined as wholly British.

We import so much in the way of consumer goods that it is difficult to find the label "Made in Britain".

We have also imported language and customs from other countries, specifically from the USA.

The traditional fish and chip shop is replaced with Burger King and McDonalds. Kebab shops, Chinese take-aways and curry houses are everywhere. None of this is a bad thing, but let us not pretend that it is British.

In sport we maintain some degree of Britishness apart from some English football clubs, notably Arsenal and Chelsea where only a handful of British players appear on the field.

Americans own Manchester United, a Russian billionaire owns Chelsea and there is a growing number of European managers and coaches.

In the World Cup, we won't be sending in a British team.

We are a group of small nations united under one flag, but each with a clearly defined sense of identity; each with its own history, language and custom. I believe that people mostly see themselves as English or Scottish, Welsh or Irish and it is only when they go abroad that they think of themselves as British.

Rule Britannia is for the Last Night Of The Proms or for the British National Party.

Come on Mr Brown, you must have some better ideas for us than useless flag-waving.

Trudie Elliott,

Hopgrove Lane North, York.

Updated: 09:10 Thursday, January 26, 2006