To be so ashamed of my country and being British?

[KenDodd]

For so many reasons recently. I feel so, so sad about what has happened to our country.

YANBU to feel that way
YABU to feel that way

You’re not the only one Ken. I know of an English couple who went on holiday to Belgium not long after the EU referendum. Their friendly hotel manager said there was a Scottish couple staying there too and introduced them to each other. The Scottish couple looked very sheepish, and had no choice to admit that they weren’t Scottish at all, but English. They explained that when they were abroad, they felt too embarrassed to say they were English.

Personally, it isn’t so much that I feel ashamed to be British (or English), as that I don’t feel British anymore. My beliefs and values are so different to those of many Brits, that I have far less in common with them than with my friends from other countries. I don’t see how we can work together when our aims for this country are so incompatible.

These days, I just focus on my family and friends and try to save some money to safeguard my daughter’s future.

What is the point of your post? To tell us you hate being English or British or something like that? Can something be done about your predicament? If so - great. If not. Then perhaps think of a solution? I mean - I don’t know the solution myself - but if i hated a place that much I would move.

I actually respectfully disagree with you OP.

Agree that I don't agree with how certain things have been handled by our government and prior governments too. But one reason I'm not "ashamed to be British" is that we have the ability to publicly scrutinise our governments actions. In general we live in a liberal society where people's sexuality, gender, or opinions can be voiced and displayed without fear of sanctions. If I lose my job I live in a society that will help me - we may debate the levels of benefits and moan that they are not enough, but on a basic level we're lucky to live in a western culture where the government prop us up during these times. I'm pleased that if I had no income I could still access lifesaving and routine healthcare - money does not prevent me accessing health services that I need. If I have a baby, I'm lucky to live in a society with above average maternity policies to enable me to bond with my child (just look to the US for a western comparison on this front!) and receive income whilst I do so. In short, whilst there are failing decisions at governmental levels, in my mind these are isolated events which overall do not equate to an entire shame of being British. I have travelled a fair amount and seen many cultures and will forever be grateful to have been born in Britain/the West.

Unfortunately, because of all of the things listed above, we expect more from our government. As I said above, I agree that there are failings - PPE, complacency prior to lockdown due to Brexit distraction etc. But it doesn't mean that I'm not grateful that I live here.

@Microzilla - you are making the very usual human error in looking up and comparing to a country that has run a budget surplus for years where as we are still paying for the 2008 banking crisis (thank you Royal Bank of Scotland). Doing so it is very easy to ignore all that has been done and is able to be done for the economy in the UK, for example the furlough scheme which is unaffordable to most countries and the business loans available. Many Italians are struggling terribly and their govt. can't afford huge bailouts for them. I was no Macron fan but now at least now he is trying to do what is right for everyone in the EU and isn't just interested in saving the French economy.

It is difficult to underestimate just how high the Germans are building those walls. Merkel has said that never again will PPE be produced outside of Germany, note Germany not outside of the EU.

I agree with you op. I look back to 2012 and the London olympics - I felt proud of our place in the international community and it felt like we all came together as one nation. Now we are divided for so many reasons and I feel nationalism and racism are becoming too prominent in our politics and media.

I love my country and I would hate to live anywhere else. I have never voted Conservative and politicians disgust me but I am proud to be British. We are our past and future as well as our shambolic present.
Yes we were imperialistic at a time when other nations only wished they were the same. We were instrumental in the abolition of the slave trade. As a tiny country we stood alone against Hitler for years until America joined (after Pearl Harbour). We tried, we often failed, we are failing now. We are still a multicultural haven for Democracy which, for all its failings, is better than the alternatives. I will not be defined by politicians or extremists. I am British and proud of it.

money does not prevent me accessing health services that I need
According to the German press this morning (see my post above), it does, NerdImmunity! Agree with your post, though there are quite a few other places you could have been born and still got those advantages.

Do we have to keep on pretending we are the worst at everything? I am sick of this lie that we are an amazingly racist country when actually we are one of the least racist countries in the world. There are European countries where monkey chants are still common when a black football player steps on the pitch. We don't have a far right party with any power (and not the conservatives are not far right). And despite what remainers want to believe, the 52% of the population who voted Brexit did not do it because they have inferior genetics/ morals/ consciences or souls, or whatever remainers want to believe, which makes them congenially racist. (And I voted remain but disgusted by attitude of remainers since).

We do however, have a selection of poor quality politicians at Westminster, across parties. That bit is true. But it won't always be like that ( or maybe it will if the public hostility to politicians continues and no-one of any note wants to become one anymore).

@PrincessConsueIaBananaHammock likewise you and the OP could be Beth Rigby and Jon Snow

I'm with you 100% OP. The papers are shite, the government have done the worst possible job for their people.

To be fair, the people voted this shit shower in, so if you voted Tory you've only got yourself to blame.

I'm ashamed and thoroughly fed up with the way we're being treated.

One thing very apparent to those abroad is the level to which the tabloids have sunk, and seem to lead the opinions of their readers.

The general level of public and political discourse is apparently desperately polarized, with a government who seem to believe they can simply lie and be believed by the population, and it seems to often work.

People voted for a party that consistently undermined the welfare state, a past model of social reform and an important tool in providing equality of opportunity has been discarded and the NHS, so apparently beloved, has had funding cut, cut and cut again. But instead of promising to reverse this, the government encourages people to clap on their doorsteps instead. I know what people on the frontline would prefer.

There's also an undertone of ignorance and jingoism, where people vote for that massive self harm at the behest of the privileged - Brexit, and say it's because they want their autonomy back - on the back of lies printed on a bus. If by autonomy you mean the right to have bendier bananas, then it's job done. Otherwise all Britain is going to see from Brexit is job losses, cuts in benefits, and the further enrichment of the top 5%.

I've always liked British people, but I don't like how Britain is going and don't want to see people having to deal with the consequences of poor decisions that have been astroturfed by the only section of society who'll benefit from them.

Merkel has said that never again will PPE be produced outside of Germany
The government in fact said that what's needed is "auch eine Säule der Eigenfertigung in Deutschland und Europa" - also local production in Germany and Europe - to ensure that PPE doesn't all have to be brought in from Asia.

As a tiny country we stood alone against Hitler for years until America joined (after Pearl Harbour

This just isn't true, though.
UK was supported in Europe by many other countries before the USA entered the war at the end of 1941:
France and Belgium (until they were officially invaded anyway- and even then they helped out as much as they could)
USSR (from 1941)
Most countries of the empire including ones already independent like Canada/Australia.

Time to emigrate?

I feel it too, OP!
I am deeply ashamed that our nation voted for Brexit, and our current government. I used to be ashamed that our population were so poorly educated that they could be manipulated by the tabloid press into making these choices, but, as I’ve got older, I’ve come to realise that people really are that unpleasant.

I think the coronavirus outbreak has destabilised the country a bit, made some people accept their vulnerability and need of public services, the reliance of the nhs on a migrant workforce, but I don’t think it’s enough to make meaningful change.

where people vote for that massive self harm at the behest of the privileged - Brexit

Actually, my analysis is completely the opposite. I think people voted for Brexit AGAINST the wishes of the privileged middle classes. I think that is part of the reason remainers are so furious. For the first time people they see as inferior to them, less educated, poorer, were able to democratically assert influence over them. They hate that.

I live in an ordinary town in an ordinary house and do an ordinary job. What I see is a community full of selfless kindness and compassion and a free NHS that has saved lives in our community. People read the tabloids but are in fact able to think for themselves. They don't agree with everything they read but choose a newspaper on a best fit basis. My aunty is a staunch labour supporter but buys the DM as she thinks it has the best crossword. When you sneer at tabloids you sneer at the millions who read them.

Britain may not be perfect but I'm proud to be British. YABU.

German PPE will be produced in Germany. What happened to the Italians when they asked for help with PPE is unforgivable and it just shows country first and the Germans never intend to be in that position and don't need to be.

@grecianwomen spot on.

britain might have been victorious but which country is thriving and will continue to do has better built houses, infrastructure, higher wages, etc and is still in the EU #JustSaying

Not this again ..

What happened to the Italians when they asked for help with PPE is unforgivable
I don't know what you're talking about, but here in Saxony they flew in sick Italians for treatment in our hospitals. Have you done that in the UK?

One thing very apparent to those abroad is the level to which the tabloids have sunk, and seem to lead the opinions of their readers.
I'm in the proud to be British camp, but I do strongly agree with the above, and it's not just the tabloids. There is clear competition for the next clickbait headline, distorting facts either wilfully or genuinely, even in the "better" press. Not helped by the fact that people no longer seem able to distinguish between fact and opinion. I work at the core of an area which is often reported in the press and I am horrified at how much misinformation seeps into the media.

It looked very much like they flew in the sick Italians to Saxony because of the negative publicity about not sharing the PPE. The timing at least was inopportune. But a good deed is a good deed, yes.

Having lived in other countries, I have never come across the deep shame that liberal Brits feel about themselves and their country.