It’s St George’s Day, and England needs a reset. Here are three ways to do it | Tom Baldwin

Many individuals may not give any attention to their calendars indicating that today is St George's Day, an occasion commemorating an ancient Roman warrior who is hardly linked to England other than the mythical story of slaying a dragon, which lacks any factual evidence.

Some days, the extremist right causes issues. However, a fascination with the myths of England isn't restricted to the edges of politics. Throughout the last ten years, exaggerated beliefs regarding this nation have become prevalent in an increasingly divided and clear debate about what lies ahead.

A lot of people have discussed the idea of reclaiming England's historical freedom and independence from Europe. There are also individuals who long for a time when the powerful Royal Navy dominated the seas and Britain was a major player on the global stage. Some feel a sense of superiority due to a belief that England played a role in "civilizing" indigenous peoples around the world. Additionally, some individuals focus on a narrative of England being a magical island that can thrive independently from the rest of the world, or even resist the influence of global forces.

The narratives we share regarding our own identities are always important, but they are particularly significant during election seasons when grandiose tales compete with the mundane perspectives of individuals residing within the nation.

As the upcoming general election approaches, politicians are engaging in numerous discussions regarding the European convention on human rights, preventing an influx of immigrants from crossing the Channel, the perspective of the "white working class" in England (who are often treated as a unified group rather than individuals), and the concept of the "establishment" which is frequently criticized by both left and right-wing advocates alike.

New research by More in Common and the UCL Policy Lab reveals that most English voters have no desire to either repeat or erase the history of their country. Surprisingly, despite a lot of media coverage to the contrary, only a small minority of English voters - just 13% - consider the establishment to be "woke".

During the past week, Keir Starmer made a statement indicating that the Tories do not have the privilege of calling themselves a patriotic party anymore. Furthermore, Starmer expressed his lack of appreciation for individuals who show reluctance in waving the national flag. The Labour leader received positive news as only a small portion of his party's supporters felt uneasy when walking through areas where the flag of Saint George is being showcased.

A recently released book, which Marc Stears at UCL and I worked on together, aims to debunk the grand and exaggerated legends that surround England. Instead of relying on blank statements and overused phrases that promote the idea of English superiority, we choose to share more modest tales that explore the intricate nature of the country. England is a place that is often not what it appears to be, but nevertheless, people of diverse backgrounds have strong emotional ties to it.

"We, being two writers leaning towards the center-left, want to suggest some ideas for Starmer's direction. He's known as the most down-to-earth politician to lead a major party in 30 years. We've also come up with seven myths and their associated places to propose a unique and possibly more applicable approach to tackle the daunting issues faced by all politicians."

Take England for example, a country with a rich history of sailing and a vast coastline. It is only fitting that they have a connection with the wind and sea, especially in Plymouth. The city's reputation is largely based on the exploits of Francis Drake. However, Plymouth University is now at the forefront of floating windfarm technology. While this may not have the same excitement as Drake's adventures, it is more important for national security than romanticizing the deeds of a 16th-century pirate who also traded slaves.

Likewise, the notion that Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany, disregarded the significant involvement of Britain's expansive empire. Nevertheless, Enoch Powell transformed this belief into a concept of self-sufficiency, implying that England did not require the assistance of other nations, and that the influx of immigrants from the "new Commonwealth" jeopardized the very existence of England.

The football team called Wolverhampton Wanderers, based in the same city where the politician served as an MP, proves him mistaken. Their community initiative has aided in mending rifts and at their games, there is a dedicated area called "Punjabi Wolves" where Sikhs from the neighborhood come to play their dohl drums.

Blackpool is a place of great poverty and hardship, as evidenced by the fact that it has eight out of the ten poorest council wards in all of England. In the eyes of many observers, this town represents the plight of the working-class white voters who felt ignored and left behind in the lead-up to Brexit. Despite this, politicians have made grand promises to transform Blackpool into a technological hub like Silicon Valley, without actually investing in the one resource it has in abundance: its need for support.

Beneath the attention-grabbing news stories, there exist some modest, community-led initiatives that aim to assist patients in leaving the hospitals, tidy up neighborhoods, or persuade youngsters to go to school. These programs provide individuals with a greater sense of self-esteem than any ostentatious, fresh redevelopment projects.

Here are three instances where a practical set of concepts grounded in reality and a simpler form of hope can be effective in resolving certain issues in a nation that should be accessible to all or, if possible, to no one in particular. This is a more modest approach than promising to resolve everything at once.

Tom Baldwin used to work as a political adviser for the Labour party and is now a journalist. He has written a book called Keir Starmer: The Biography and, more recently, co-authored another book alongside Marc Stears titled England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country and How to Set Them Straight.