It wasn't too long ago that I was sat watching the Summer Olympics of 2012 and feeling not only a sudden urge to buy myself a road bike and start cycling to work, but also that I was just really genuinely happy to be British. For a while afterwards it seemed like everyone I spoke to had positive things to say about life and everyone was smiling. I feel like the sentiment has most definitely changed over the last five years, and factors such as ISIS & Syria, the Scottish independence referendum and Brexit have pushed us towards a far more negative and regressive outlook.
One particular recent quote has stuck in my mind which the Russian foreign ministry responded with after Boris Johnson's cancelled trip to Moscow this year:
“The decision to call off Johnson’s visit to Moscow confirms once again doubts in the presence of added value in speaking to the UK, which does not have its own position on the majority of present-day issues, nor does it have real influence on the course of international affairs, as it remains ‘in the shadow’ of its strategic partners. We do not feel that we need dialogue with London any more than it does.”
I remember at the time thinking with raised eyebrows that it was a little harsh but ultimately just propaganda, however, since then I have come to the realisation that it might in fact be all too true.
The days of the empire are certainly over. Yes, I'm sure the financial services industry is booming, unemployment is at a record low thanks to zero hour contracts, the deficit is decreasing and the big mac index shows us in a great light etc, but none of this really matters to the average hard working Brit I don't think. I can't help but feeling I'm not particularly proud to be British these days.
Are you proud to be British?
One particular recent quote has stuck in my mind which the Russian foreign ministry responded with after Boris Johnson's cancelled trip to Moscow this year:
“The decision to call off Johnson’s visit to Moscow confirms once again doubts in the presence of added value in speaking to the UK, which does not have its own position on the majority of present-day issues, nor does it have real influence on the course of international affairs, as it remains ‘in the shadow’ of its strategic partners. We do not feel that we need dialogue with London any more than it does.”
I remember at the time thinking with raised eyebrows that it was a little harsh but ultimately just propaganda, however, since then I have come to the realisation that it might in fact be all too true.
The days of the empire are certainly over. Yes, I'm sure the financial services industry is booming, unemployment is at a record low thanks to zero hour contracts, the deficit is decreasing and the big mac index shows us in a great light etc, but none of this really matters to the average hard working Brit I don't think. I can't help but feeling I'm not particularly proud to be British these days.
Are you proud to be British?
