I am definitely over-excited! I’ve bought my flag AND managed to attach it successfully to my car window. They clearly make the merchandise woman-friendly these days. I did go through minor agonies wondering if flying the England flag on my car was a) suitable b) jingoistic or c) not the sort of thing a responsible Member of Parliament should be doing. And then I thought – who cares? I love the World Cup. I love sport. I have a team taking part. Hurrah!

I’d watched other cars proudly show off any number of wind-whipped flags over recent weeks – and as the fever mounted could resist no longer. My eldest daughter had also been nagging about getting a flag. Football does kind of go to the heart of even my family. My ex-husband always said he could have played for West Ham. It was a good line. My younger daughter tried out for Arsenal Girls.

Anyway – during last week when Parliament was in recess and I wrote articles, caught up on the difficult bits of work that somehow, mysteriously always work their way to the bottom of the pile and gave both myself and my house an MOT. It’s impossible to get things done when House is sitting – so plumbing (mine and the house’s), dentist, cleaning, tidying and a host of other ‘must do when I have a minute’ tasks have been the order of the day – along with plenty of radio listening.

Not surprisingly, the World Cup featured a lot. There were some interviews with Scottish fans (allegedly including tennis star Andy Murray) who basically would rather support Paraguay or anyone rather than support England. Of course, the World Cup is soooooo much more exciting when your own team is in it. But whenever we have not made the tournament – or we have been knocked out – I have always, always transferred my affection to whichever other British team still remains if there is one.

Of course, once this had been broadcast across the capital – lots and lots and lots of Scots living here phoned up to say they didn’t feel like that and were ashamed of their countrymen. But it didn’t quite remove the undercurrent of resentment which had been vocalised – and which doubtless partly reflected that England is so often the dominant – even domineering – partner in the UK. Of course – hopefully this badinage is just at a relatively playful level. But there is a real issue of intolerance in Scotland that does sometimes have a bit of an unpleasant edge. English nationalism is by no means 100% pure either – just look at what the BNP do in its perverted name. Actually – that’s another reason for happily flying the English flag. We shouldn’t just leave it to the thugs and racists to claim it as their symbol.

All this did make me ponder (as one of the articles I am writing is about race and asylum) how easy it is to fan the flames of differences and how important it is to continually to work to bring people together. Football has had huge problems with racism in the past, by no means all of which have gone. But it is interesting how important seeing black and other minority players playing for their team has been in changing fans’ attitudes. Familiarity breads understanding. A lesson there perhaps for other public services such as education in the importance of bringing together different parts of society?

So – I’m flying the flag with pride. I’m all set and currently desperately hoping that there are no public engagements at local summer fetes and street parties – it’s that time of year – that will clash with England matches. And no – it’s not just self interest (although that figures) – it’s also always a great shame for any organisation or society or residents’ association or people getting married or whatever – who find that their big day or event clashes with England’s matches as they advance through the rounds.

And I think they will get through the rounds – to the final of course!