To not feel proud of my country at the moment?

[Livingtothefull]

I really want to be proud - there are plenty of things to be proud of in the UK (great people/culture/heritage) - but the way we are governed at the moment just sickens me.

We have a liar and a criminal as Prime Minister, I can't bear the sight or sound of him now. 'Partygate' showed us just how much contempt he has for the British public. People are facing huge cost of living rises and poverty, and the Government offered nothing to help address this in the Queen's speech.

The latest is their proposal to break international law.

By the way the Monarchy was shown up as the useless and empty institution it is through the prorogation of Parliament episode, far from a supposed guardian of democracy. I don't have anything against the RF personally, but as an institution it has presided over all of this and yet has nothing to say about it all.

I am sick of hearing about the Jubilee as well, I see nothing to celebrate in what we have all been through over the past couple of years and are facing now. 'Rich privileged woman lives a long time' does not mean anything imo, in the context of the huge numbers of people who have died before their time due to Covid. Many of them elderly and vulnerable people in care homes - where the Government has recently been found (again) to have broken the law by putting them in harm's way.

Well the people who voted for this shitshow of a government can own the entire mess. They knew what they voted for.

Having lived in many countries, I would say that they all have their ups and downs. Being born in, and being a citizen of, the UK has made my life a lot easier than it could have been. I’m not particularly nationalistic so I don’t worry about national pride very much.

I grew up in a developing country. I love Britain and almost everything about it. My dh and children are British, my dh like so many other brits I know just have no idea at all what a shit country is like. I am so glad I live here.

Yes I agree @boudicca79, we paid for Andrew to buy off his accuser and escape very serious allegations. And our Head of State put on a public show of support for him. Heaven knows how that looks on the world stage.

Instead of slagging people off you would think the establishment would want to examine what prompted the booing. But they are not interested in doing that.

Millions didn't vote for the conservatives though.
I know that's how democracy works, but it's a bitter pill sometimes.
Plus our government is still popular, away from Mumsnet you would be surprised that there is still a lot of support for them ( or maybe just people I know!) , although even my very conservative friends are concerned about the cost of living. They will still vote conservative and like the royal family.

I've just been reading about someone who travelled for three years from Sudan to get here, to be notified about being sent to Rwanda. I wanted to cry for him. I can't even imagine how he must be feeling and I can't believe we are doing that.

Someone mentioned the 90s and 00s. I sometimes think back to how different it was.

I‘m glad you’re happy here

I moved too, from a country more similar though, and still appreciate it (both are good countries to live in)

In general though people seem very positive and in good moods around me, esp after last two years. These threads seem at the opposite end in comparison

So OP what country do you aspire to live in?

I mean, I’m sure most people are just worried about themselves.

who really take about other countries as being laughing stocks?
I’ve genuinely never heard it being said, people are usually too busy worrying about putting dinner on the table or getting their kids to school and just getting on with their own shit

Could you give a live example of a country that you admire?

@Quornflakegirl given your experience and that you are glad to live here, I wonder how you feel about our immigration policies?

This one. It is my and DS's home.

I’m from Scandinavia but came back yesterday from a short UK holiday. Had such a great time, love the country & the people. Lovely and friendly. And my family and I bought food with us from Sainsbury’s and M&S, as believe it or not it’s so cheap (and can’t get crumpets or english muffins here)! 😅 We can’t wait to go back.

But, you could tell that a lot of places were short of staff..don’t know if it’s because of Brexit but service wise it did make a difference from when we last went before covid.

'I love Britain and almost everything about it.'

I do too believe me. If I didn't then the things that are going wrong wouldn't matter nearly as much to me.

Oh good, somebody straight in comparing us to North Korea so prove how great we're doing. Funny how they never compare us to our actual neighbours.

@Kendodd I'll bite. The UK has spent the last 6/7 years arming and training Ukrainian forces to repel an invasion. The Ukrainian defence minister said: "We greatly appreciate that this year, Britain was the first to provide us with serious weapons that have increased our defence capabilities. Your role is special, and your courage and your spirit are in stark contrast with the passivity of some other countries."

What of our neighbours then? In Germany the Bundestag took until April 28th to approve the export of heavy weapons. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister said back in January: "We are disappointed with Germany's continued refusal to authorize the supply of defense weapons to Ukraine, especially in the current situation, ...
Germany's refusal to do so also disappoints the Ukrainian public. Unfortunately, Ukrainians will remember this for decades"

How about the French? Well Macron has been busy channelling Chamberlain: www.standard.co.uk/news/world/emmanuel-macron-vladimir-putin-meeting-ukraine-war-zelensky-b1000211.html

So stop moaning and think of some positives. My brother is gay. There a number of countries where it is illegal. That is far more serious than moaning about a street party you don’t want to attend.

‘Rich privileged woman lives a long time'

This made me laugh, I agree that this whole Jubilee nonsense is an extravagant waste of money, but that just sums up the entire RF.

I do find it embarrassing though when ethnic minorities jump on the nationalistic band-wagon. But to each their own.

That's just the point. I can't even go anywhere now - trapped on this island with my blue British passport 🙁

What do you mean? Can you give an example

It's not essential to be proud of your country of birth, OP. You didn't choose it!!

The World is a scary place at the moment and things are pretty dire, for sure.

Of course it could be much, much worse, but that doesn't change the fact that Boris is a twunt 😂

I can't see it changing any time soo though so you only have two choices - let it get you down or make the best of it. Might as well take the excuse of a rich lady getting old to eat a big old cupcake or something!

Cuckoo - why cant you go anywhere??

When politicians are attracted to the job for what it can do for their own power and enrichment rather than any desire to create a country where all citizens prosper, what’s to be proud of? It should be a source of shame that a rich country like ours can’t protect all its citizens from poverty and hardship. Dickens wrote something about judging a society by how it treats its weakest members. Watch a few Ken Loach films to understand how easy it is to go under in this wonderful country and how you are treated when you do. A lot of us are doing ok but where is our patriotism when we don’t care that others aren’t? Zero hour contracts fire and rehire, , an exploitative and substandard housing rental market, dwindling right to adequate healthcare, growing inequality across the board. Not affecting you yet? Our politicians have no shame and are confident there are enough citizens that can be persuaded this is a reasonable way to run a country that they will carry on weakening Britain by plundering and exploiting what and whoever they can. It is the Queen’ government doing this on her watch. Not a cause for celebration in my book.

Whilst I hate to be negative, I have to admit I tend to agree with you OP. The financial bite is still to come to so many people, once that hits and starts to filter through to small businesses and hospitality we’re going to find ourselves in a very grim situation. What worries me the most is what will be the tipping point…

The government is shambolic but it’s what was voted for along with Brexit, what is that MN saying….. vote for a clown get a circus 🎪