Nationalism is an “ideology that has failed”, according to Sir Keir Starmer.
The Labour leader mounted a powerful attack on the ideology of nationalism in his 14,000 word pamphlet called The Road Ahead in which he set out what he stands for.
Nationalism in Scotland and Wales is perceived has having grown in support in recent years with the SNP in Scotland pushing for another referendum on the nation's place in the UK.
In his pamphlet, Sir Keir repeatedly refers to the British people, describing Britain as our country and saying we all face common challenges and he describes "the multi-headed hydra of nationalism" as being "damaging to our country".
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In the section titled identity and belonging, he attacks the attempts of political rivals to sow the seeds of division and rancour, saying: "Most immediately damaging to our country has been the rise of the multi-headed hydra of nationalism."
He goes on to accuse both the Tories and the SNP in Scotland of "creating division between people of these islands".
"The business of effective governance and improving people’s lives comes second to ideology. Both use nationalism freely to whip up fear of the other," he continues.
“Nationalists like to portray themselves as patriots but patriotism and nationalism are not the same,” he added.
“In fact, they are opposites. Nationalism represents an attempt to divide people from one another; patriotism is an attempt to unite people of different backgrounds. Nationalism is about the casting out of the other; patriotism is about finding common ground. Nationalism is the flag as a threat. Patriotism is the flag as a celebration. Nationalism is just one arm of the rise of identity-based politics in the Western world that has done immense damage to the progressive cause.
“By dividing people into smaller and smaller groups and diminishing the experiences of others, we atomise our society ever more and keep potential allies and friends at arm’s length. Community, family and country are not conservative or backwards ideas – they are the building blocks of strong societies.
“When we celebrate families, we celebrate them in all their different shapes and sizes. When we celebrate our country, it is a love of place and people, not jingoism. We don’t seek to create ingroups and out-groups - instead, we want to create a forward-looking, inclusive Britain. A Britain built on the bedrock of our traditions but one that evolves, grows and embraces change. A Britain that judges its people not by race, nationality or the way they live their lives – but on how they contribute to the greater good. The challenges of the future will require us to build broad coalitions”.
He concludes: "In the pursuit of creating a better country and a better future we may sometimes disagree and have differences. It is our job to strengthen the union and reassert the bonds between the people of our country."
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