Columnist says country's national debate is now controlled by 'ultra militant crackpot minorities'

Garry Bushell has accused the mainstream media of being controlled by “ultra militant crackpot minorities”.

The English columnist has campaigned for years for St. George’s Day to be turned into a national holiday.

He joined Nigel Farage on GB News for Talking Pints and reflected on some of his earlier work: “I feel very passionate about England and the fact that we’re probably one of the only countries in the world where we’re not supposed to be proud of who we are and we can’t celebrate St. George’s Day, it’s some terrible sin if we do that”.

He pointed out Eastenders’ Queen Vic pub as an example and how it does not celebrate the day.

EastEnders' Queen Vic
Ben Curtis

“They’ve had special days for Diwali, they’ve had special days for American Independence Day, but St. George’s Day, sometimes they have a flag up… the idea that its the only pub in east London that doesn’t have anyone in it that’s going to celebrate St. George’s…”

The tabloid columnist reflected on the way that the industry has changed since his days on Fleet Street.

Nigel Farage said: “The newspapers you were in for years, columnists would have very strong opinions, express them clearly, and you could agree, you could disagree, but it was all part of our democratic process.”

Bushell replied: “It was, and there was no attempt to control fault. To be honest as a boy, the first thing I remember reading in the newspapers was Keith Waterhouse in the Daily Mirror, and Sir John Junor.

“Now the debate is more controlled, and we’ve allowed ultra militant crackpot minorities to dictate the national debate and actually control the cultural debate which is not a very good thing, it’s not healthy for the country.