PRIME MINISTER in waiting Gordon Brown’s drive to promote Britishness has been slammed by a Scots MP.

Perth and North Perthshire politician Pete Wishart insisted the majority of those north of the border do not have “any desire” to be labelled as British.

He even suggested plans drawn up by Mr Brown for a so-called Britishness Day are nothing more than a “clumsy, kneejerk” political stunt by a man “shaken” by the SNP’s recent election success at Holyrood.

Mr Wishart also worries that Scots would be “compelled” to celebrate a nationality they do not recognise.

“Where does Scottishness fit in with this, particularly when most surveys suggest that in Scotland most people define their nationality as Scottish, not British?” he said.

Mr Brown had outlined plans for a Britishness Day during an address to the Fabian Society in London.

He insisted it is important the Union flag is “recaptured” from the far right.

However, Mr Wishart is far from convinced.

“This just seems to be another in a series of clumsy attempts to try and redefine what Britishness is all about, just at the point when the whole concept of Britain has been shaken by an SNP victory in the Scottish Parliamentary elections,” he said.

Mr Wishart also questioned Mr Brown’s motives for raising the issue now, just weeks before he is confirmed as Prime Minister.

Yesterday it was suggested a British Day could be marked by a UK-wide public holiday.

It is envisaged that various celebrations and festivities would also take place.