Conservatives believe in patriotism, but equally in community

David Lidington, a statesman of Britain, once declared: “Conservatives believe in patriotism, but equally in community and the importance of local identity. We believe in devolution. We believe in localism. We believe that decisions should be taken locally wherever is practical; that communities matter.” In these words lies not only political creed but timeless wisdom: that patriotism must not be a distant, abstract pride, but must be lived out in the soil of community, among neighbors, in the shaping of local identity. A nation, he reminds us, is not built by the voice of a distant throne alone, but by the hands, hearts, and choices of its communities.

The origin of these words comes from Lidington’s political vision, expressed during his service in government, where he spoke of the need to bring power closer to the people. At its heart, his statement reflects the principle that local identity is not an enemy of national strength but its foundation. For a tree grows not from its branches but from its roots, and in the same way a nation is nourished by its villages, its towns, its neighborhoods, each carrying its own character and strength. To neglect them is to weaken the whole.

History reveals the truth of this wisdom. Consider ancient Greece, where the city-states—Athens, Sparta, Corinth—each nurtured its own traditions, governance, and spirit. Though often divided, their strength in identity and local governance gave birth to philosophy, democracy, and art that shaped the world. Their patriotism was not abstract but lived in the defense of their polis, their community. It was this closeness of governance, this rootedness in local identity, that made their culture enduring.

Similarly, think of medieval England, where the strength of the realm grew not only from the power of kings but from the self-governing nature of towns and boroughs. Local councils, guilds, and assemblies safeguarded identity and ensured that people had a voice in their affairs. The Magna Carta itself, though aimed at restraining kings, was a triumph of local voices asserting their rights. Here we see Lidington’s truth: a nation flourishes when decisions are taken locally wherever practical, for this honors both freedom and belonging.

The deeper meaning of his words is that community matters because it is the place where identity is forged, where responsibility is cultivated, and where people feel their voices count. A man may love his country in grand declarations, but his daily life is lived among neighbors, among families, within streets and schools and fields. If he feels powerless in these, his patriotism becomes hollow. But if he feels ownership of his community, then his love for nation becomes strong and enduring.

The lesson for us is clear: do not wait for distant leaders alone to shape the life of your people. Rise within your community, tend to its needs, guard its traditions, and nurture its future. True patriotism begins in small places: in the village square, in the local school, in the council meeting, in the act of neighbor helping neighbor. When communities are strong, nations are strong; when communities are neglected, nations fall apart.

Practically, this means embracing localism in your own life. Support local traditions, engage in local decisions, value the history of your town or village. Serve your neighbors, for in serving them you serve the nation. Remember that patriotism is not only about flags or ceremonies but about the daily act of strengthening the ground beneath your feet.

So remember, children of tomorrow: patriotism and community walk hand in hand. To love your country is to love your people, to care for their voices, and to protect their identity. Devolution is not division—it is strength, for it honors the root from which the tree of the nation grows. Stand firm in your community, and your nation will stand firm in the world. For when each small place is tended with care, the whole realm shines with greatness.