Should these five ideas cheer us up? A new survey finds fewer Britons are proud of their country than 10 years ago. But some say there is plenty to be happy about.
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Sharp drop in British national pride
Should these five ideas cheer us up? A new survey finds fewer Britons are proud of their country than 10 years ago. But some say there is plenty to be happy about.
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Are you proudFeeling happy because you or someone you care about has achieved something. to be British? Whichever way you answer, your friends might disagree with you.
That is according to a new surveyWhen you ask a group of people questions about what they think about a particular topic. from the National Centre for Social ResearchA UK independent social research institute. It is a charity which aims to improve society. , which found just 64% of people are proud of Britain's history, down from 86% in 2013. They interviewed 1,600 people from England, Scotland and Wales.
Is it all doom and gloom? Here are five values that British people might take pride in today:
Anti-racism. Far-rightA range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents. riots in July was shocking. But thousands of people gathered for anti-racism protests too.
Giving back. Three of the world's most important charities - Save the ChildrenAn international non-governmental organisation that aims to improve the lives of children. It was founded in the UK in 1919. , OxfamAn international charity, originally British, that works to alleviate global poverty., and Amnesty InternationalAn international non-governmental organisation focused on human rights. - are based in the UK.
Just causes. The British people have supported UkraineA country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022. for more than two years in its fight against the Russian invasionWhen armed forced enter and try to take control of another country. .
Climate leadership. The UK has taken a central role at global climate meetings for years.
Soft power. Series like Planet Earth, Top Gear, Downton Abbey, and The Crown are loved around the world.
Should these five ideas cheer us up?
Yes! The times change and we change with the times. We should not be stuck in the past. Instead, we should look to what can make Britain a place to be proud of in the future.
No! Britain is a divided country. The riots in the summer showed us that. We cannot be proud of Britain until we agree who we really are as a people.
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Keywords
Proud - Feeling happy because you or someone you care about has achieved something.
Survey - When you ask a group of people questions about what they think about a particular topic.
National Centre for Social Research - A UK independent social research institute. It is a charity which aims to improve society.
Far-right - A range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents.
Save the Children - An international non-governmental organisation that aims to improve the lives of children. It was founded in the UK in 1919.
Oxfam - An international charity, originally British, that works to alleviate global poverty.
Amnesty International - An international non-governmental organisation focused on human rights.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Invasion - When armed forced enter and try to take control of another country.
Sharp drop in British national pride
The state we're in: In Keir Starmer's first major speech since becoming prime minister he said Britain had a "deeply unhealthy society... weakened by a decade of division and decline, infected by a spiral of populism”. Glossary
Proud - Feeling happy because you or someone you care about has achieved something.
Survey - When you ask a group of people questions about what they think about a particular topic.
National Centre for Social Research - A UK independent social research institute. It is a charity which aims to improve society.
Far-right - A range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents.
Save the Children - An international non-governmental organisation that aims to improve the lives of children. It was founded in the UK in 1919.
Oxfam - An international charity, originally British, that works to alleviate global poverty.
Amnesty International - An international non-governmental organisation focused on human rights.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Invasion - When armed forced enter and try to take control of another country.