What does it mean to be British now?

Our Gordon (the Chancellor and PM-in-waiting) thinks that “liberty, fairness and responsibility” are the pillars on which we brits build our common national identity. High brow commentator David Starkey doesn’t agree. He believes English (note not British) nationalism is built on being first and best at everything. Really David?

Perhaps this was true of the war generations or back in Empire days, but we younger Brits kinda don’t hold on to that much anymore, mostly because we have no idea of what we are best, and we certainly don’t come first in many races either these days.

Personally, what I think is best about Britain is the freedom of choice, and tolerance even though the perceived wisdom is that these aspects of life here are being eroded by anti-everything sentiments fuelled by the events of Sept 11th and July 7th.

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