The crusade to oust St George as England’s patron saint is gathering momentum and will be heard in Parliament.

Conservative MP David Ruffley also believes it is time to restore the title to St Edmund (see pic). He plans to raise it as a debate in the House of Commons on behalf of his constituency.

He said:

“I’m going to be reading the petition to the speaker and the members of parliament in the House of Commons.

“I believe, as a Cambridge University historian, that the true and first patron saint of England is not St George but St Edmund.

“About four decades before St George we had our own martyr – St Edmund.

“If we can get a really big petition from right across East Anglia, I’m sure it will get the fur flying.â€?

Whatever the outcome, I’m sure the Sicilians will want to keep St George, who is also patron saint of the town of Modica, where there are some splendid statues dedicated to him. Many thanks to Welshcakes Limoncello for this fascinating info.

I’m afraid I agree with West Suffolk MP Richard Spring, who does not believe St George will be toppled, that St Edmund is a great figure of local history – and should be celebrated as such.

And Croydonian raises an interesting question, why not St Alban, the first martyr of Britain? So many worthy saints to choose from, but I think St George is safe for now…