The Progressive Patriot

by Billy Bragg

What does it mean to be English? What does it mean to be British? Is the cross of St. George a proud symbol of a great tradition, or the badge of a neo-Nazi? In a world where British citizens can lay bombs to kill their countrymen, where religious fundamentalism is on the increase, and where the BNP are somehow part of the democratic process, what does patriotism actually mean? Identity can change depending on what company a person are in. For example, someone could describe themselves British to one person, Scottish to another and, say, a Londoner to another, and be right every time. But problems arise when someone tries to tell you what you are, based on your skin tone, religion, accent, surname, or whatever. This book is Billy Bragg's urgent, eloquent, and passionate response to the events of July 7, 2005, when four bombs tore through a busy morning in London, killing 52 innocent people and injuring many more. A firm believer in tolerance and diversity, he felt himself hemmed in by fascists on one side and religious fanatics on the other. The suicide bombers were all British-born and well integrated into our multicultural society. Yet, they felt no compunction in murdering and maiming their fellow citizens. Inclusivity is important, but without a sense of belonging to accompany it, what chance social cohesion? But where does a sense of belonging come from? Can it be conferred by a legal document? Is it a matter of blood and soil? Can it be taught? Is it nature or nurture? This book pulls no punches in its insights, and its radical vision offers a positive hope for a country teetering on the brink of catastrophe.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Music, Biography, History, Memoir, Autobiography

289 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

Stephen William Bragg (born 20 December 1957) — known as Billy Bragg — is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes. His music career has lasted more than 30 years.

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy Bragg one-time British punk / indie icon with strong so-called Leftist leanings wrote this as a direct counter balance to the UK born Muslim terrorist atrocities of 7 July 2005. What was put forth an alternate view of (British) patriotism than that espoused and at times dominated by the Far Right has an intriguing mix of family history, music memoir, UK working class history, the development of UK democracy etc. which as a whole is a treatise on national and personal identity within a nation.

It would be callous and come across politically motivated to disregard this work or deem it 'socialist' when in reality I found an extremely thought provoking read that puts forward an opposing and more inclusive idea of British patriotism; revealing in sourced historical detail the struggles the English ruling classes had to wrest absolute power from the Royals and more relevantly how the working classes had to fight for every freedom that they ever got from those ruling classes. There's the huge added bonus of an insider's view on the birth and early development of Punk Rock. A fascinating read that has mean angling to know more about the real history of the UK from the view of the average person and not the the ruling classes. Bragg's detailed decimation of the so called British Empire is also a treat. Saying all that the book feels a bit all over the place despite having such strong content and central themes. 8 out of 12.

2022 read

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Progressive Patriot' is an intelligent, fascinating and thought provoking look at what exactly it does, or might mean to be 'British' and a Patriot' in a modern 21st century multi-cultural society.

Billy Bragg's book attempts to blend his own personal memoir with social history and for the most part does this very successfully. To some extent 'The Progressive Patriot' is all about reclaiming patriotism without its hitherto repugnant association with fascism and the far/alt-right. It is about, as the title would suggest, considering a more progressive (as opposed to repressive, oppressive or regressive) reinterpretation of patriotism.

Britain and the British have a lot to be proud of and equally have a lot to be ashamed about - more so than many countries and less so than others. Certainly one of the key questions raised by Bragg's book is perhaps, if we are proud to be 'British' - what exactly are we proud of, what does that mean and importantly, why?

It is also important to remember that Patriotism (whilst often confused with) is not necessarily the same as Nationalism - which is generally a more extreme form of Patriotism, veering more towards xenophobia and chauvanism.

Having said that, it is worth remembering and considering, in the words of Samuel Johnson: "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel".

Billy Bragg has given us an important and thought-provoking book, food for thought and well worth a read.

[C M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been a longtime fan of Billy Bragg's music and political activism, even though I don't always agree with his positions. Having seen him recently at a concert in Chicago, where he was still thrilled about the death of Margaret Thatcher a week earlier, I decided that it was time to read his book "The Progressive Patriot," which I had bought many months before. Somehow, I thought the book was mainly dealing with contemporary multicultural Britain and the fight against the far right, in which Bragg has been so prominent. Instead, Bragg reflects on his life through the prism of his love for England. This leads to very different chapters: some highly personal, about his family and its ancestors; some mainly musical, about the importance of English music for American folk; and some political, about finding an alternative for both the nationalism of the far right and the internationalism of the far left. Many chapters are overly detailed and not easy to get through. Moreover, for anyone with some advanced level of knowledge about the history and politics of Britain, there is little new to the story. The chapters also don't always fit well together and there is extensive overlap, which gets annoying after a while. I found the last chapter to be the most interesting, as that deals with his vision for a modern and multicultural Britain. It is also in that chapter that Bragg shows the most obvious naivety and selective memory, seeing all kind of positive (i.e. progressive) aspects in historical events, which never happened (at least not to the extent as stated by Bragg).

Overall, I was surprised that such a gifted lyricist as Bragg would be such a mediocre author. I know the styles are different, but I had expected them to be at least in some way related. I guess I will stick to listening to his beautiful songs then.

[Thomas Stroemquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and enjoyable by alternative rocker Billy Bragg. If you are in the least intrigued by the title, I can promise you won't be disappointed. Kind of loosely held together and associative more than following a logical path at times (but never lacking in logical reasoning). This does not distract in my opinion, but makes this kind of book very personal and very readable. You don't even have to agree with Billy's views on all and everything to appreciate The Progressive Patriot.

[Darryl Tomo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bragg talks as much sense as usual (I.e a lot) in this pleasantly rambling investigation into what it means to be English, and whether another form of patriotism that isn’t exclusive is possible. This feels like a timely question given the recent surge in nationalism, which is also why I bought this book (after seeing Bragg talk about the topic on TV). The book suffers a bit from being somewhat outdated - ie the book was prompted by a few BNP councillors being appointed in Barking, which in the age of Trump, Farage, Brexit and surging nationalism feels quaint. But it asks the right kinds of questions.
I enjoyed the sections on music, which reminded me of Bob Dylan’s ‘Chronicles’ in places.
Would be interesting to see an updated version of this book. I imagine it would be much less optimistic..

[Gareth Howells · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that covers a lot of ground in Historical investigation and information, that then connects it to the context of a potential sense of national pride that Billy Bragg is wrestling with.
I would thoroughly recommend this book for anyone interested in British history.

[Colin Heber-Percy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reads almost like a collection of themed essays. But the central aim is to wrest ideas of national pride and patriotism from the right and to set out an argument for understanding Englishness within a progressive, left wing social / historical context. Billy Bragg is passionate and engaging and well informed but this book was written before the rise of UKIP, before the current government came to power, and it's impossible not feel that the tide has turned against him: the reactionaries have gained ground, not lost it.

It's particularly interesting to read in the light of Scotland's bid for independence. The Union is changing, and the English are being forced to examine themselves as they haven't for centuries. As Bragg points out, the English have no parliament or assembly of their own; they have no passport and no national anthem. And to fly the cross of St George is seen as a badge of bigotry and racism. Why is the same not true for Scotland or Wales? These questions are all raised in the book, and have become more relevant and interesting since its publication.

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book, it combines my two favourite subjects - music and politics. it's well written and thought provoking. informative on many issues such as culture and even history which is a subject I'm previously not all that well read up on. very absorbing!

[Jeremy Walton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely written, but an uneven mixture
I only know Billy Bragg from a few of his songs (the terrific "A New England", of course, plus his lesser-known third album "Talking To The Taxman About Poetry"), and a vague idea about his political activism. So I had a few preconceptions about what this book (lent to me by a friend) would be about - the usual musician's story, supplemented by a side order of polemic. He'd thrown me off the scent by the end of the first chapter, which is a careful - even scholarly - account of the history of Barking (his birthplace). He follows that with a discussion about the Anglo-Saxons, the story of his ancestors' involvement in the London Docks strikes of 1889 and 1911 and the history of his family. It's not until the fourth chapter that he starts telling - in a very roundabout fashion - how he got interested in music.

So this isn't your standard musician's book, although he gives a very good account of the relationships between British and American folk music in the 60's (an early influence was Paul Simon, and BB makes the fascinating suggestion that "The Boxer" was inspired by a Essex fighter named Billy Walker) and the way he got swept along with the arrival of punk in 1976. In addition, he writes very well (he memorably describes the difference between writing a song and a book, comparing taking a photograph to "painting in oils on a twelve-by-twenty foot canvas"). He's clearly put a lot of work into this book (though I think the first name of the historian he calls Charles Babington MacCaulay was really Thomas), but the overall point he's trying to make remains obscure.

First, as others have pointed out, there seems to be a confusion about nationalism, patriotism and xenophobia, which get used interchangeably. More crucially, he doesn't appear to draw a distinction between Britain, Great Britain, the United Kingdom and England, which is both a standard source of bewilderment for foreigners and a touchy subject for many inhabitants of these islands, although it should be handled carefully in a book which is supposed to be about national identity.

His proposals for how to go about setting up a Declaration Of Rights seem a little naïve - indeed, his argument for why such a thing is needed (which includes the contention that it would be a great way to celebrate the anniversary of the 1707 Acts Of Union) is unconvincing. But, leaving his call to action aside, this is still a good book - well written, wide-ranging and (for the most part) stimulating.

Originally reviewed 17 August 2007

[Len · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of three parts: the history of Barking, the author's birthplace, and a potted history of England; the story of his family, his childhood and the beginnings of his career in punk rock; and the politics of patriotism in the UK.

The brief history is as tidy a summary as any that might appear on wikipedia, though when it comes to the Iron Age and Roman periods Mr Bragg occasionally falls into speculation. It is the habit of using phrases similar to that loved by the writers of TV shows about UFOs and alien visitors: that irritating avoidance of proof, “could it be?” It only happens a few times and this probably says more about me than Mr Bragg.

The autobiography section is by far the best part of the book. The stories of the author's family and of his own rise into the world of rock music is absorbing, interesting, detailed and well told, as is his growing interest in left wing politics as he grows up. It's a pity that this part of the narrative is not longer but it, and the history, has to fit in with the author's main point: why should we, that is the people of the UK in general, allow patriotism to be hijacked by the right wing, extreme or otherwise.

The book was first published in 2006, a time when the UK still had a Labour Party government under the leadership of Tony Blair. This pushes the author's attention on the use of the Union Flag (the Union Jack) by right wing members and supporters of those political parties that drew their inspirations and perverted racist philosophy from the Nazi Party, through its various manifestations in the UK: the British Union of Fascists, National Front, the British National Party, and many others. I don't know what Mr Bragg would have to say about the current use of the Union Flag by Conservative Party M.P.s when conducting an interview using Zoom - it seems to be obligatory to have at least one draped at the back of the set. I imagine it would not be complimentary.

The author's ideas are sound and, to anyone with a belief in the power of democracy, common sense. Whether they are or ever were achievable in the way Mr Bragg advocates is another matter. But time moves on and now there is the driving force of Black Lives Matter which pushes concern over the use of a flag and misapplied patriotism into the background. The book remains worth reading, however, if only as a reminder of how things were fifteen years ago.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can individuals on the left truly embrace their nationhood?...or is that the preserve of the right and more problematically the far right?
This book tries to redress this and in some ways could act as a companion piece to Braggs English/Half English CD which also deals with identity, that said a knowledge of that piece isn't essential.
It ticks all the boxes you would expect a Billy Bragg book to tick politics, multiculturalism, sexual identity and music without being preachy..this book deals with personal and political history to show how a nation is shaped.
The backdrop of far right political parties has changed pretty much gone is the BNP but we have various factions scrabbling for the space they took....UKIP gave way to reform but though names have changed the backdrop remains...nationhood and immigration are still hot topics arguably even more so.
I found maybe the most fascinating part of this book the entry on WW2 and the commonwealth and multi national coalition that secured our freedom...its easy sometimes to read Allies as us, America and Russia from that time wheras in truth India and the Windrush generation amongst many European partners where important...we didn't stand quite as alone as it sometimes seems in the fight against fascism.
So enjoyable was this book I have already ordered Braggs book om Skiffle (another cultural phenomenon born from thr class system).
Great stuff and we'll worth a read.

[Yaotl Altan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy Bragg es un cantante de protesta inglés nacido en los 40's. Militante de izquierda, sus
canciones abordan las temáticas sindical, antiracista, antibélica, entre otras. The Clash y Simon & Garfunkel influyen principalmente en su carrera.

En el libro "The Progressist Patriot", el autor comenta sobre sus raíces familiares, la historia del sitio donde nació y la vida política del mismo, el aumento del racismo en Inglaterra los últimos años, el nacimiento del punk.

[Ger Byrne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Billy Braggs music, but with the exception of maybe 3 chapters out of 13, this is one of the most boring, self indulgent books I've ever read. It's basically a history of England since time again, with lots of repitiotion about the Magna Carta, the Whigs etc. Wouldn't recommed to Billy Bragg music fans unless you're prepared to sift through 250 pages of excrutiating detail about the history of London.

[Paul Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly interesting-I struggled with the depth of history included here, but that is more a reflection on my limitations of the subject than of the content. This book made me think and when it boils down to it, what more can u hope for? Recommended!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable journey through Billy Bragg's life and politics.

[Paul Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read although Braggs tactical voting bollocks still leaves a sour taste.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my word - I so like Billy but didn't have any interest in a detailed history of Barking. I'm sure it moves on, but I didn't have it in me to persevere.

[Mel Stead]

Reviewed in the July 2007 issue of the Socialist Standard:

http://socialiststandardmyspace.blogs...

[Joseph McHale · Rating 3 out of 5]

dry start to the book, but eventually got going after 2 and a half chapters. Enjoyable once started and very good in the way he links the history and his own history together.

[Ian Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘The Progressive Patriot’ is Billy Bragg’s first book but I suspect it will not be his last. Following on from his previous album ‘England, Half English’ he is continuing his theme of what is national identity in a multicultural society, fuelled by the far right BNP being elected onto the council of his native Barking and the realisation that the London suicide bombers were British Nationals, Billy is looking for an inclusive patriotism that welcomes all under the National Banners.

The contradictions of what is traditionally considered to be British Patriotism from the Whig histories and the fact that the mother of all democracies did not have universal suffrage until the twentieth century do not make this an easy subject and Billy attempts to bridge the gap of his own ancestry and experience and how although that it could alienate him from the English genius instead it shows how it can give us an inclusive citizenship. Billy leads us through his family history and fits this into the history of both Barking and the Nation. Coupled with this Billy shares with us his formative years and shows us how, somewhat bizarrely, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan informed his love of English folk music and The Clash informed not only his politics but also his internationalism.

The book is very timely and while the government considers such ludicrous suggestions as to introduce citizen tests and school children pledging allegiance to the Queen, Billy Bragg is taking the lead with realistic ideas that are not impositions but a realistic appreciation and inclusiveness.

Reading this book made me think of my own ideas on patriotism and my ancestry with a similar stand point to Billy Bragg with our both being lovers of George Orwell’s ‘The Lion and the Unicorn’ and having both being politicised by music. I brought to mind my Grandmother rushing home in the thirties to avoid Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts marching through Leeds. She got the heel of her shoe stuck in the tram lines and had to break it off to get away. History has never felt so relevant.

[Mark Hebden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book at time suffers from a great deal of confusion about what it wants to be, part biography, part history of rock music, part genealogy and part anthropological study of the English as a nation and a race. The author repeats himself from chapter to chapter which suggests it wasn’t written as a full text but is a collection of thoughts written down over a period of time. That said, it’s passionate and welcoming in its delivery with a frisson of anger that juxtaposes the chapters quite nicely. Bragg is at home when writing about music, you get the sense that he feels himself to be on safe ground in the arts where facts can quite easily be subjective. That’s not to say he isn’t sure footed on the politics however. There is an elegant flourish to the language and one can see why he chose to write the book in the first place. As we are now, trapped between the worlds of left and right Bragg comes at the subject of multiculturalism (the central theme of the book) from a left wing background but he refuses to adopt the traditional language and arguments of his political group, instead focusing on human interest stories to push through the narrative.

The book is a response to the victory in his old constituency of the BNP in recent local and European elections (since overturned) and horror with which he saw the news that day. There is a brief but enlightening history of the Dagenham and Barking area in London that shows just what a bastard nation we always have been in response to the BNP’s “ethnic British” mythology. Bragg is angry about how fascism is once again seeping in to our culture. Having been a part of the original rock against racism he is appalled that a new generation are having to fight the same battles against the BNP and more recently the EDL. A well delivered if slightly confused book that has its heart set firmly in the right place and written by a man who cares deeply about the subjects on show.

[Rebecca Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me think, really enjoyed it,and actually made me glad to be English, thanks Billy

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who were the only nation that entered the FIFA 2006 Soccer World Cup that does not have their own National Anthem or passport? Bear in mind that nearly 200 countries entered the competition, it was England. Surprising to some I'm sure, but it's true. I see myself as English, but my passport says I'm British and as for the national anthem. well it's the British National Anthem (and bloody hell it's dull!) we definitely need an English anthem. I learnt some of this from Mr Bragg's book (not the bit about how dull the British National anthem is, I already knew that)

This is a great book for helping to understand what and who we English really are and what really defines us. Also how, hopefully, we have finally reclaimed the English Flag (the cross of St George) from the Fascist thugs (yes BNP that's you) who stole it.

There has been a lot of talk about patriotism since 911 and this is a book that should be read by anyone who thinks they know exactly what patriotism is and indeed those of us like me who aren't really sure.

It's well written, easy to read, well researched and very thought provoking. Give it a shot!

[Sally McRogerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas Paine's father was a Quaker. Why didn't I know this? Well I do now, so the book was of some use in educating me, although it's gonna take more books than I have time for in this lifetime to complete the process I can't help thinking. (Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called "Common Sense", which convinced the States to ditch the British monarchy and become a republic in 1776).

Felt a bit as though I was walking through treacle at the beginning cos I'm not English in the Essex sense, but Billy Bragg is and it was worth ploughing through the stuff that didn't feel relevant to me to find the stuff that does.

His musical influences have set me off on a whole new shopping expedition (and I don't do shopping!). His ideas for a democratic written Bill of Rights (to counter the many, many responsibilities which seem to rain down on us every time a group of M.P.'s put their bums on those benches) decided by groups of citizens in collaboration, i.e. grass-roots decisions, is well worth further deliberation.

If you're a fan of Bill's song lyrics, then you'll probably think this book worth a few hours of your time. You don't change your politics with your genre!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Billy Bragg; his music, his politics and what I knew of the bloke himself, so it's hardly a surprise that I liked this book. That being said, I couldn't claim that this is as good as George Orwell, whom he quotes and obviously admires, on the subject of Englishness. No major complaint there; not many people are as good as Orwell.
Billy is good on the development of music that lead to Punk and Rock against Racism. He's pretty good on the politics of the Civil War and the rise of unionism, though I'd have liked a lot more of both, especially the Civil War. I think he's especially good at being himself, the lad who can admit that his first real musical love was Simon and Garfunkel and whose first real musical ambition was to turn into one of the Rolling Stones. He's proud of his dad for having foungt in the second world war, of his granddad for having taken part in a major London dock strike and of Barking for haiving been an importatnt place back before the Romans arrived.

[Jared Duran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable. Bragg's prose is conversational and endearing. He speaks his mind and backs his opinions with well founded research, and though the sheer amount of historical reference can become tedious at times, the man somehow manages to reign things back in to friendlier, less formal territory--after all, scholarship is the enemy of romance. In The Progressive Patriot, Bragg does the same great job of mixing the political with the emotional and the personal that he does with his songwriting, and what emerges is a portrait of a largely optimistic man whose faith in humanity remains strong despite its disappointing tendencies towards bigotry and hatred. As he once sang, he's got a socialism of the heart, and it is both encouraging and comforting to find someone who is still so relevant on the international stage using his celebrity to further ideals of substance.

[Cathie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a long time Billy fan - love his music, lyrics, and refreshing honesty.
Not sure that this book knows what it wants to be - there are big sections on the history of Barking, for example, that not everyone needs to know - but a brave attempt at exploring being english, which is especially pertinent post -Brexit. Interesting that this was written over 10 years ago but is already talking about the rise of racism and what are 'British values' ( now embedded in Ofsted expectations and part of education training).
But for anyone born around the late 50s or early 60s with any love of British music history, the chapter on rock against racism, the rise of punk and the Clash and the Jam, should speak to your soul.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Billy Bragg I was born in the mid fifties on the East London / Essex border. Our working class families were both linked to the Thames. We enjoyed the same music and were attracted to the same politics. I felt very at home reading this book.

Bragg does a superb job of bringing together the multiple strands that brought us here. From American folk music to the Magna Carta, the Beveridge Report to Rock against Racism.

Bragg makes the point that the forces which shape us, both homegrown and imported are themselves the things which shape the country, which make being a part of it both personal and attractive.

This book shows us that to enjoy and perhaps love being English is not the monopoly of the political right. We can like our Celtic neighbors just enjoy our birthright.

[Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read, but Billy's slightly wobbly focus means that it's also a little frustrating. One minute he's telling us about how patriotism can be incorporated into left-wing politics, then the next minute he's banging on about an ancient Celtic encampment in Barking or the first Simon & Garfunkel record he bought. In fact, the whole patriotism thing only really pops up in the first and last chapters, but having said that, the parts on his musical upbringing are actually some of the most interesting passages. So much so in fact, I'd be very interested to read a full-on autobiography of his life - if such a thing exists. Anf if not, you'd better get writing Billy!

[Kerry Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a long discursive essay which is partly historical, partly autobiographical and partly analytical. It's well written, reads easily and was particularly fascinating given I lived not too far from Barking for a long time and that all the music mentioned is music I grew up with as well. I did spend some time with this book and iTunes adding songs to my wishlist.

It is slightly dated given it refers to the current political scene at the time it was written but for anyone with a passing interest in British political history or Barking or the music of the late 1970's it's well worth a read