'What it means to be British’ is the subject of an open evening discussion at Bradford Cathedral tomorrow night, organised by Canon Frances Ward and Nuzhrat Ali, the Cathedral’s interfaith development officer.

Canon Ward said: “It’s a really interesting question in today’s diverse Britain, particularly in a city like Bradford.

“Some people interpret identity in a tribal way, which needs to be defended against others. Is that helpful? We think it’s better to be generous and inclusive.”

As a Polish Roman Catholic, Jan Niczyperowicz joined 30 of his pals to bunk off school to watch Poland play England in the 1974 World Cup qualifier at the old Wembley Stadium.

Poland drew 1-1 with England, and went through to the finals in West Germany, as it was then, and Jan returned to Bradford happy.

But he’s cheering for England in the present World Cup. If Poland were in the competition, Mr Niczyperowicz, membership secretary of Bradford’s Polish Club, would be cheering for both.

He said: “I was born here. I am British. The fact that I am a member of both societies is a great benefit. I have no qualms about being bi-cultural and bi-lingual. It’s a positive thing.

“I think it’s necessary for people to learn the language of the country they want to live in and work in.”

He thinks the prevalence of the flag of St George is a gesture of defiance against political correctness which has, in the past, regarded the waving of that flag and the Union Jack as symptomatic of cultural racism. “You should be proud of your origins. It’s a good sign,” he added.

Foreigners coming to Britain to settle have long faced the dilemma of whether they should assimilate or integrate. Forty years ago, Bradford had reception centres and a policy of bussing children of immigrants to mixed schools. That process of assimilation was attacked as racist and eventually abandoned.

More recently, identity has become wrapped up with integration and the issues of religious and cultural practices. The priority of being British and Muslim, in which order of precedence, has proved problematic for the new generation of Muslims in a way that wasn’t apparent for their parents in the mid-1950s.

That’s when Mohammed Ajeeb arrived from Pakistan. In the ensuing 40-odd years, he made the transition from an immigrant working on the buses to Bradford and Britain’s first Asian Lord Mayor, deputy leader of the Labour Group and prospective parliamentary candidate. Ajeeb feels British.

He said: “The longer you live in a country, the more you become attuned to certain cultural aspects. From time to time, I like fish and chips. We eat English meals at least once a week.

“When I go out, my outlook – in terms of my mode of dress – is very much British. I share some of the friendships with local people. I don’t feel a stranger. My children were born here, and all their friends are English.

“When I go to Pakistan, for the first few days you feel very lonely, isolated. After three or four weeks, you feel nostalgic for Britain. You miss not going into Asda.”

Does he think there is a difference between Englishness and Britishness, or are they different sides of the same coin?

“I feel British, not English. I think there is a difference. To be English you have to be born in England. I think there is an entrenched belief among some English people that goes back to colonial culture, that Englishness is exclusive.

“The English were the pioneers for other regions of Britain. They became Great Britain and then, with the inclusion of Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom.

“As a British citizen I have certain responsibilities and obligations. I have to demonstrate loyalty to the country and abide by the laws of the land. I believe I am part of mainstream society.

“With those responsibilities at the same time I enjoy the rights other citizens enjoy. And I have to share with other people in times of grief and in times of need. I belong to this country,” he added.