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Original poster

So proud of the UK today

493 replies

1stDecember · 03/12/2020 07:23

So, the UK is the first in the world to approve and roll out a Covid vaccination programme. (If another country had done this, say Germany, everyone would be going on about why can't we be as good as the Germans? Grin)

The UK had bought and tested a major amount of the right vaccine - it didn't get here by chance!

The UK Army (which really is world-class) is going to enable the largest vaccine programme ever.

It looks like a Brexit Deal is about to be struck.

And - next year, the UK will be banning the live export of animals. (We couldn't do that in the EU.)

Just feeling really good about the UK today Smile

It doesn't often happen, so I thought I would appreciate the moment Grin

OP posts:
chomalungma · 04/12/2020 08:29

And unfortunately, people who dare hope for better, for a better society and who bring up examples of countries that do things better are dismissed as unpatriotic and are then told they should leave this country and go and live in these other countries 'if they're so good'.

Problem with that is:

  1. People who want to see positive changes also like the country they live in

  2. We can't move abroad to Europe now as easily because 'Brexit'

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2020 08:31

I don’t find that to be true. Even if you are not negative you can see improvements should be the way forward.

Bluethrough · 04/12/2020 08:31

I can be proud of things that I consider to have been done well

But in the grand scheme of major mistakes by BJ, approval of and then roll out of v small quantities of vaccine is hardly comparable OP.

Ordering up vaccine from many different manufacturers is something the UK has done well on.

We are a first world european country, in the top 20 of richest per capita countries, i compare us to similar, not the CAR and in comparison to most other EU countries we do not do very well.

chomalungma · 04/12/2020 08:33

@MarshaBradyo

I don’t find that to be true. Even if you are not negative you can see improvements should be the way forward.
You want to post a comment about something the UK doesn't do well and another country does better on the Daily Mail comments section and see what happens. Grin
Original poster
1stDecember · 04/12/2020 08:34

@MarshaBradyo

On the flip side having lived in three countries and with two passports, the U.K. has the biggest tendency for being very negative. Especially on here.
Interesting!
OP posts:
PirateCatQueen · 04/12/2020 08:34

Take your buns to the zoo, the elephants love ‘em 🐘

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2020 08:35

Ha no thanks Grin actually the media is one thing that has been irritating in all this. The continuous provocation and click bait headlines. Hasn’t aided us.

mollscroll · 04/12/2020 08:37

Agree with Marsha. I’ve lived abroad a lot and they tend not to have our relentless negativity. France has suffered terribly under Covid but their reporting of the crisis is better and more global so it’s clearer there that no one is finding an easy way through this. Belgium is the worst performer by a long way in Europe - despite their excellent health care. We wouldn’t know that here because we are not really reporting on it.

Bluethrough · 04/12/2020 08:40

There is nothing wrong in being critical of the country you live in and love.
Wishing to improve and not accepting mediocrity is how a country advances.

We could have accepted the health of the nation in 1945, i'm sure if MN had been around them, supporters of the NHS would have been told they were moaners and wingers and we should bask in the glory of single handedly winning WW2 and our national private healthcare was the envy of europe!

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2020 08:42

No it’s not excepting mediocrity it’s a different narrative - we have the expertise, and will to advance. And always have. And this is often dismissed when we talk about ourselves. It’s always the most negative.

awaynboilyurheid · 04/12/2020 08:43

The french demonstrate loudly and clash with police on the streets as do the Spanish if the disagree with govt policies. They are MUCH more vocal in their protests when unhappy with their govt
I think most people on here are saying they are proud of things done well The NHS workers exhausted after working on after shifts The scientists who have given us a vaccine and a road out of this mess But the govt who sat on their hands and caused deaths when we could see near neighbours in total crisis .. not so much

Cygne · 04/12/2020 08:59

@MyOtherProfile

"But the idea that Brexit enabled the UK to press ahead and authorise one is not right.

It was actually permitted under EU law, a point made by the head of the UK's medicines regulator on Wednesday."

"But the fact that the UK is the first country in the world to approve this vaccine has got nothing directly to do with Brexit."

All from the BBC today.

We're subject to EU law on this till the end of December, so the statement merrily put about by Hancock and Rees-Mogg that Brexit would have prevented us from bringing out the vaccination is an outright lie.

The sheer level of falsehood and corruption coming from this government is certainly nothing to be proud of.

Onedropbeat · 04/12/2020 09:02

@awaynboilyurheid

The french demonstrate loudly and clash with police on the streets as do the Spanish if the disagree with govt policies. They are MUCH more vocal in their protests when unhappy with their govt I think most people on here are saying they are proud of things done well The NHS workers exhausted after working on after shifts The scientists who have given us a vaccine and a road out of this mess But the govt who sat on their hands and caused deaths when we could see near neighbours in total crisis .. not so much
This is how I feel

I often read news from across Europe so actually feel quite lucky to be in U.K.

It could be so much worse.
I don’t think people realise that although some things are shit , there are many we should be proud of too

You can’t have everything

TeaBanditTeej · 04/12/2020 09:05

@Biscusting

Just remember when you’re queuing up for your vaccine, that if the UK government had handled the crisis better, you wouldn’t be needing that vaccine at all.
Are you serious? Of course we would've needed a vaccine you baffoon!
itsgettingcoldoutside · 04/12/2020 09:07

GrinSmile

Bluethrough · 04/12/2020 09:10

@MarshaBradyo

No it’s not excepting mediocrity it’s a different narrative - we have the expertise, and will to advance. And always have. And this is often dismissed when we talk about ourselves. It’s always the most negative.
But we do accept mediocrity, we don't hold our leaders to account, we accept a super hi death toll, an NHS that shut down in the spring (check the numbers of beds, doc's and nurses per capita?)

Inequality, the shocking levels of UC, poverty, a transport network that is the most expensive and congested in europe but the moment we approve a vaccine before any other country its "roll out the bunting" and we get these self congratulatory posts, even bringing in the armed forces (which said they haven't the numbers to assist nationally)

We then compare ourselves, not with Germany or Japan but with dictatorships the world over and say "well, its not as bad as Somalia, at least we have a vote"

Having lived in europe, we are miles behind, in fact some east european friends of mine returned home after she became pregnant, they said "the UK isn't a great place to bring up a child, your health service is poor and your schools even worse" but we just accept the largest class sizes in europe (primary)...mediocrity again :(

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2020 09:15

Blue it’s the way you feel and I can’t say you shouldn’t but I just don’t see it the same way.

It was standard for so many of us to want to make it in London. It’s the same for so many abroad that we are attracted to the U.K., admittedly the city above the rest. But it’s a huge draw for scientists, experts and talent.

Some will prefer Europe and obviously that is their decision. But I just can’t get on board with the negativity. We are all different though and that’s fine.

Onedropbeat · 04/12/2020 09:17

I don’t know anyone who thinks we are miles behind Europe or would leave because of uk’s health service or schools

A few bad eggs maybe but in the whole we have excellent free healthcare and schooling

It would be an insult to the teachers I know or the nurses I know to say otherwise too

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2020 09:19

There are some things that are difficult no doubt. Inequality especially, other countries are more egalitarian. I’m not saying it’s all fine. But I’m not so down on the U.K. as others. There’s still much that is good. And worth it in terms of changing countries.

justanotherneighinparadise · 04/12/2020 09:19

I am grateful to live in this country. People risk their lives daily to try and get here.

derxa · 04/12/2020 09:27

@mollscroll

Agree with Marsha. I’ve lived abroad a lot and they tend not to have our relentless negativity. France has suffered terribly under Covid but their reporting of the crisis is better and more global so it’s clearer there that no one is finding an easy way through this. Belgium is the worst performer by a long way in Europe - despite their excellent health care. We wouldn’t know that here because we are not really reporting on it.
Well said One look at the Worldometers website tells you that. Italy and Spain's figures are also terrible. It shouldn't be a competition though. These statistics are people's loved ones all over the world.
SlightDrizzle · 04/12/2020 09:34

@MarshaBradyo

Blue it’s the way you feel and I can’t say you shouldn’t but I just don’t see it the same way.

It was standard for so many of us to want to make it in London. It’s the same for so many abroad that we are attracted to the U.K., admittedly the city above the rest. But it’s a huge draw for scientists, experts and talent.

Some will prefer Europe and obviously that is their decision. But I just can’t get on board with the negativity. We are all different though and that’s fine.

Absolutely. I was that talent. I spent 22 years in England. I left last year, along with a lot of colleagues in my field. Being cut off from major sources of European cooperation and funding is fatally compromising UK universities. It’s like watching a neighbour you’re very fond of unaccountably saw their own head off with a rusty butter knife.
Sailorsgirl44 · 04/12/2020 09:35

I'm in Ireland.. I would not like to be at the top of the queue for this vaccine. Its been rushed out.. I think other countries will watch how the UK gets on and learn from your mistakes.
As for Brexit.. Its going to create such enormous problems in Northern Ireland.

Bluethrough · 04/12/2020 09:56

A few bad eggs maybe but in the whole we have excellent free healthcare and schooling
It would be an insult to the teachers I know or the nurses I know to say otherwise too

Thats not born out by international comparison on staff levels, wait times or outcomes.
Having excellent but not enough staff, poor equipment and shoddy buildings is not a reflection on anyone who works in these sectors (my mum - nurse and sister - teacher)

But you've made my point that we lack the ability to want to improve because for many in the UK we are at the top of the pile, so there is no need..... a bit like our football team, we (apparently) have the best leagues and the best players...... lol!

OchonAgusOchonO · 04/12/2020 09:58

@slightdrizzle - Being cut off from major sources of European cooperation and funding is fatally compromising UK universities. It’s like watching a neighbour you’re very fond of unaccountably saw their own head off with a rusty butter knife.

I think that is the last straw for many UK academics. I work in an Irish university and the number of British applicants for academic jobs has increased dramatically over the past couple of years. On research projects, we have been avoiding partnerships with UK universities where possible due to the uncertainty about their eligibility for funding.