David Cameron will use today’s St George’s Day celebrations to issue a fresh plea for people in England to play their part in the battle to keep Scotland in the UK.
The prime minister is due to deliver a message calling on the English to “prove” to Scots that it was possible to be proud of their own nationality – but still be committed to “the world’s greatest family of nations”.
He will describe England’s role in the Union as one of its “greatest achievements”, and say that the different peoples of Britain “will always be greater together” than if they were independent.
The message echoes the Conservative leader’s speech at the Olympic Park in London in February, when he urged the rest of the UK to “get on the phone” to friends north of the border and persuade them to vote against independence.
Mr Cameron’s plea comes amid growing concern behind the scenes in Downing Street at the narrowing opinion poll gap as September’s referendum looms.
He will attempt the tricky balancing act of delivering his pro-Union rallying cry at the same time as beating the drum for English nationalism.
Mr Cameron will say: “St George has been England’s patron saint since 1350. But for too long, his feast day – England’s national day – has been overlooked.
“Today, though, more and more people are coming together on or around April 23, eager to celebrate everything it is to be English.
“And there is much to celebrate because this is a country whose achievements in industry, in technology, sport, music, literature and the arts – they far outweigh our size.”
From Cornish pasties to Newcastle Brown Ale, via Downton Abbey and The Beatles, Mr Cameron will cross the counties in his message, name-checking some of England’s most famous exports.
But he will put the successes firmly in the context of the UK.
His message will conclude: “This St George’s Day, I want us to reflect on one of England’s greatest achievements: its role in the world’s greatest family of nations, the United Kingdom.
“In just five months, the people of Scotland will go to the polls and decide whether they want to remain a part of this global success story.
“So let’s prove that we can be proud of our individual nations and be committed to our union of nations. Because no matter how great we are alone, we will always be greater together.”