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Original poster

Just what has Britain got to be proud of ?

112 replies

ivanhoe · 20/08/2011 19:08

The British Empire was built on the slave trade.

Right wing Capitalism continues to use the poor as fodder for making the rich richer.

Just what has Britain got to be proud of ?

OP posts:
jkklpu · 20/08/2011 19:43

Blackadder, haggis suppers and free museums.

BTW, do you think that Britain was the only beneficiary of the slave trade?

purplepidjin · 20/08/2011 20:07

All the fantastic young people i work with at youth club

We live in the most racially tolerant country in Europe

We're streets ahead of pretty much everywhere when it comes to disabled access

jackstarb · 20/08/2011 21:13

Apparently our health & safety legislation is much admired Smile - really!!

Agree about our racial tollerance and multiple-culturalism (although this may be a London-centric \ liberal middle class based tolerance).

Our finance industry is actually much envied (but we are doing our up-most to change that).

Original poster
ivanhoe · 20/08/2011 21:27

Again..................

The British Empire was built on the slave trade.

Right wing Capitalism continues to use the poor as fodder for making the rich richer.

Just what has Britain got to be proud of ?

To anybody with any brains, insight and knowledge, we have nothing fundamentally to be proud of.

OP posts:
MitchiestInge · 20/08/2011 21:28

cricket team have done well this year

2shoes · 20/08/2011 21:32

well if you don't like here......emigrate

MitchiestInge · 20/08/2011 21:34

waitrose

MitchiestInge · 20/08/2011 21:34

land rovers

HarrietSchulenberg · 20/08/2011 21:34

We are talking modern Britain though, yes? The British Empire doesn't exist any more. I am proud (and aware that I'm very lucky) that I live in a country where I can get free healthcare and education and where I can speak freely.

I'm proud of what we are now, not what we were in 1873.

Mollydoggerson · 20/08/2011 21:36

Some English accents are very nice.

NevermindtheNargles · 20/08/2011 21:45

Well clearly I have no brains, insight or knowledge but I am proud to live in a country where people can visit a doctor without worrying if they can afford it.

Freedom of speech

Freedom of the press

Freedom of religious expression

Free public libraries (for the minute)

Plus the fact that we teach children in schools that the empire was built on the slave trade rather than brushing it under the carpet.

Britain certainly has its faults, but if you don't like it, you have the right to try to change it. Lots of people are trying to. Alternatively you can just complain that we have nothing to be proud of and call anyone who disagrees with you an idiot. You're lucky to have that right.

aquashiv · 20/08/2011 22:22

The people!
I know its depressing politically right now and its hard to find anything to believe in but things will change....Its always darkest before the dawn.

TimeWasting · 20/08/2011 22:26

We've lots of things that could be much better, and there's things we did in the past that we wouldn't do now, but there's lots to be proud of too.

purplepidjin · 20/08/2011 22:27

Repetition does not equal proof Hmm

You asked a question and have been answered. I gave you three examples of the things that make me proud of my nation. There are things that make me thoroughly ashamed - like the slave trade - and things which need to be improved - like disability awareness - and then there are the things we've done spectacularly well at - like the steam engine and cotton weaving.

It's my opinion. It's not wrong, it's just not yours.

Original poster
ivanhoe · 21/08/2011 12:15

Aside from the points made in my original posting. Im ashamed of my country for so many reasons today.

We are not a civilised Britain.

OP posts:
ChunkyPickle · 21/08/2011 12:26

Ivanhoe, have you actually lived anywhere else (lived, not visited on holiday)

I've lived a few other places, and the UK may have some problems, but every country does and I have to agree with some of the other people here by saying that we have a lot to be proud of.

Anyone can have healthcare, education, there is support to feed and house, we have good roads, despite complaints our infrastructure is amazing compared to many countries, we give a lot of money and support to developing countries, are very open with our immigration policies and our people are very tolerant, friendly, and willing to try and accept new things.

There really aren't many places in the world that can say that.

TrillianAstra · 21/08/2011 12:31

The "riot wombles" were pretty proud-making :)

Al0uiseG · 21/08/2011 12:38

Some really stunning coastline, beautiful architecture, houses that were built in the 14th century which are stunning today. A tradition of preserving rather than demolishing, a national love of dogs. The army, navy and air force are the best in the world.

Agree with whoever said Land Rovers.

ironman · 21/08/2011 13:00

Anyone who is ashamed of this country should emigrate. The rioters probably rioted as they felt like the OP, no affiliation to this great country. We have plenty to be proud of and they are too numerous to mention.

I wish people would stop slagging of this country! OP have you taken all the benefits this country has to offer? Yes! If you don't like this country emigrate, I no doubt the you don't have the skills to offer another country!
Perhaps you should enlighten yourself refrerence slavery, 2 million europeans were also taken in the past as slaves, slavery does not just include black people.
Read 'White Gold' and educate yourself Angry.

Pan · 21/08/2011 13:09

There are times when I regret what this country 'does' to it's self and the really uncivilised attitudes we have as country, sometimes ot the point of being 'ashamed' of it. Despite invites from ironman and 2shoes I ahve no intent on emigrating - this is where 'home' is and the people I love.

Good things? nhs, an improving police service, use of irony, cricket team, the temperate climate, Scottish landscape, Manchester United, curious sayings like 'she's no better than she should be'. Hmm

carminagoesprimal · 21/08/2011 13:21

Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, Agatha Christie, and the Beatles (off the top of my head and being completely superficial )

But I do get where you're coming from, the recent riots have left most of us bewildered, shocked, and reeling in shame & disbelief. I would lay the blame on EU regulations giving the criminal more rights than the victim, extreme liberalism and the breakdown of the traditional family - but other liberal countries handle these issues without going completely mad. It appears we have unique problems - so unique no one has a bleeding clue what they are.

aliceliddell · 21/08/2011 13:22

'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' - Humphrey Littleton (sadly missed)

aliceliddell · 21/08/2011 13:22

And the Welfare State/NHS

Pan · 21/08/2011 13:29

We do sometimes have a very ruthless attitude to 'the poor'. Consigning people to large swathes of estates with little infrastructure, few shops ( and those that are there are massivley expensive compared to 'drive-to' supermarkets), limited job opportunities within striking distance.

The rate of teenage pregnancies, alcohol consumption amongst even the very young, are other things to be pretty ashamed of. It's a balance n'est-ce pas?

btw - the beloved NHS won't be so if Camrun has his way in tarting it out to U.S "providers".

noddyholder · 21/08/2011 13:31

very little atm