Keir Starmer declares England's flag 'belongs to us' in St George's Day message

The reception brought together members of the public with well-known faces to mark England's patron saint's day - officially celebrated today.

Sir Keir singled out three individuals present at the No10 gathering who he believed exemplified true English characteristics.

Among them was Isaac Davidson, a York-based window cleaner who helped take down racist graffiti from a Chinese restaurant in the city last year.

The Prime Minister also praised George Sutherland, who volunteers at a Telford food bank, and whom Sir Keir had previously referenced during his 2025 Labour Party conference address.

The third person honoured was Ben Huntley - the nurse who provided care for the Prime Minister's brother Nick during his final months battling stage four cancer.

During his address, the Prime Minister also railed against those attempting to create "division" within the nation.

"There are voices both here and abroad, who would seek to divide us, who want to set us apart from each other," he told guests, warning against those promoting "a sort of toxic culture of hatred between different individuals, different groups, different communities".

Speaking about his brother's death, Sir Keir's voice reportedly wavered as he addressed the gathering.

"Sadly, my brother passed on Boxing Day 2024 and it hit me like a bus," the Prime Minister said.

He spoke of how Ben Huntley's compassionate approach had made a profound difference during an incredibly difficult period.

"But because of Ben, my brother always felt cared for and respected, because of the way that he was treated by Ben and the whole team, and that was really important to a vulnerable man with stage four cancer going through a really challenging time."

Addressing the nurse directly, he added: "Ben, I'll never forget what you did for me and my family."

Sir Keir also drew attention to violence targeting religious communities, describing attacks on synagogues and mosques as "acts of violence designed to send a message to the Jewish and Muslim communities of this country that they are not safe".

"We reject their division completely, and we will fly our flag proudly," he added.

Then, he turned his attention to Britons who have raised their flag up and down the country in what critics have branded a "national embarrassment".

Some patriotic flag-raisers have even been subjected to abuse and attacks on the streets.

"It's our flag. It belongs to us, and we will fly it for the values that we believe in, and they are the values of the people I've named in this room tonight," the Prime Minister vowed.

The reception featured a notable guest list from the worlds of sport and entertainment.

Former England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman attended, alongside ex-England footballer and Strictly Come Dancing winner Karen Carney, as well as actor Joe Thomas - best known for his role in The Inbetweeners.

Olympic cycling champions Dame Laura Kenny and Sir Jason Kenny introduced the Prime Minister, recalling how they had first encountered him at the Pride of Britain awards some years earlier.

Following a day where he faced scrutiny over appointing Lord Mandelson as ambassador - which has sparked calls for him to resign - Sir Keir appeared to see the funny side.

He joked that he enjoyed occasions where conversation steered away from politics.