I think the national news is disproportionately bad. I feel lucky to live in the UK...

[twelveyeargap]

because, broadly,
*anyone who is willing and able to work, can.
*Healthcare is free.
*Education is free.
*It is a safe place to live.
*If DH or I are ever unable to work, the government will not let our children go hungry or homeless.

There are also the little things.
*Nowhere else can a team of football players who train in their spare time, end up playing a cup match against a team of players who earn thousands of pounds a week.
*The national sport stops for lunch and tea.
*People queue politely.
*There is Radio 4.

(I'm not British, btw.)

Anyone else?

We pay for what seems like endless rain by having the most gorgeously green island on the planet. A sunny day in Britain is worth the waiting ...

Everybody thinks our tea is the best in the world.

The only people who perennially thrash us at sport are the Aussies, but most of them are British anyway

We have Blackpool ... the world's biggest piss-take.

not British either and staying away from rosy picture I still think it is a fantastic place to live for many many reasons not least the huge opportunities people get in comparison. to many other countries.

and the NHS despite its many faults and shortcomings is a wonderful achievement.

I am English and I have to disagree with the homeless/hungry one from my experience.

I've been on benefits for 5 years and during that time I've been bettering myself at university with the view to train as a teacher and get a good 40/50yrs back paying tax...

Anyway, during this time I've had 4 or 5 eviction notices because at times I owed £20 on the rent - yes TWENTY POUNDS - not a lot really, eh!

I have also been left with NO money - NO income whatsoever for a month at a time, 3 or 4 times - if I didn't have my parents on hand and able, I would have gone hungry - I was on the phone to someone who could have sorted it out and said "I have NOTHING to feed my 3 yr old for tea - NOTHING, and no money to get anything" ... their reply was "and?"

I have nearly had 3 emotional breakdowns and one nervous one - the treatment is NOT fair and not an easy ride.

I can't wait for the day that I can look in to emigrating TBH - yes, the NHS is mostly free and education is mostly free (until you want to go to Uni etc) but there are horrific stats regarding illiteracy, homelessness and poverty in what is meant to be one of the "best" countries in the world. And STILL the Government send £9m to India for footballs....

No justice, no fairness... just luck if you manage to stay in your home with enough money to feed your kids a meal a day for some people.