ANDREW Hitchon, in his column of June 29. concluded by saying: “I felt ashamed of what I am – British, English, Yorkshire, the lot.” Obviously no reference here to English football.

This made me think about our national identity. If somebody asked me: “What is your nationality?”, I would have to think before answering. If I said English, I would feel as though I were somehow isolated from the Welsh and Scots. If I said British, I would be excluding the Irish. I would never dream of saying I was from Great Britain, because we are made to feel as though we are no longer Great.

The standard classification now forced on us is UK, although I am no longer certain what this stands for if the Great has indeed gone out of Britain.

So if asked the same question, would I say that I was “from the UK”, “a UKer”, UKish”, or “a United Kingdomer”? I think not. Probably best to admit to being a Yorkshireman and refuse to expand on that.

Is it time to bring some unity to our national identity? Philip L Hart, Springwood, Haxby.