Following on from the media fuss over the idea that British teenagers should swear allegiance to the flag and country when they leave school, I was reminded of this recent bit of Banksy art work. I wonder which flag the schools would fly for their pledge?

As it happens, I think the idea is daft.

Even if it is decided that a US style nationalism is a good thing, simply asking teenagers to swear allegiance without a lifetime of nationalist indoctrination would achieve nothing – save maybe a room full of smothered giggles as they read out the pledge.

Picture credit to The Telegraph