TONY Blair was, predictably, the first politician to congratulate the England team for their brave efforts in South Korea and Japan.

He was expressing his pride for our boys within an hour of their 2-1 World Cup defeat at the hands of Brazil last Friday.

But that has not stopped the opposition parties from adding their own word of thanks.

First of all, Paul Keetch and his fellow Liberal Democrats tabled a Commons Early Day Motion (EDM) praising the "superb management" of Sven Goran Eriksson.

Then the Tories added a twist by putting down an EDM praising the fans as well as the players.

It said: "We pay tribute to the people of England of every race, creed and class who united together with warmth and good humour in a common cause.

"We also congratulate all those who purchased 30 million Cross of St George flags - ensuring the flag was reclaimed from thugs and extremists. It can now be flown by decent and tolerant English people everywhere."

Peter Luff, who signed the EDM along with Bill Wiggin, said: "I am very pleased by this.

"I have been driving around with a St George flag in the back of my car for the past 12 months."