Quite a lot of racism and nationalism has been unleashed under a very thin facade of patriotism and ‘maintaining culture’. What even is the English/British culture we’re not maintaining?
Then clearly you'd see racism in a bowl of cornflakes - which is characteristic of the Hard Left. I'm delighted that you're content, Strolls - you've wrong-footed us, because you never sound it...
There are individual cultures of England, Wales, NI and Scotland. They probably start with free speech and respect for others, and move out from there. Let me ask you, as someone who is Jewish. Do you respect any of the Jewish traditions or have you abandoned all of them?
My friends aren't all racists, Goldie. I exaggerate our disagreements, most of which are on political issues. Those that voted for Brexit at least now have the good grace to admit that they were conned.
Hmm, I don't know anyone who voted Brexit that regrets it. The Eurozone is floundering just like most other economies in the world. Over half of my friends and relatives voted Remain, but are now keen to get on with life outside the EU. There's a small rump of people that can't get over it ( including that bloke with the bowler hat who's always outside Parliament) and they were waving their little blue flags last night. It's a free world, but as the national, taxpayer-funded broadcaster, the BBC needs to make sure that the Proms don't become political.
The religious aspects I abandoned decades ago but they were never forced upon me. Definitely can’t be arsed with being kosher or going to synagogue for the festivals. If people want to keep them going then good for them but the majority of my generation are increasingly secular in their day-to-day lives. Free speech and respect are fairly universal though. I’d say your average Spaniard has more respect and a greater sense of community than the average Brit.
Rule Britannia is no more political than the national anthem. They're simply historical and patriotic songs. They're not Horst Wessel...
No reason a little man on a cloud can’t save the queen. It didn’t work but doesn’t mean he won’t save the king.
Sure, secular, but surely you must keep some of the traditions? You make my point for me on Spain. It hasn't had communities shattered by large amounts of immigration that has not been properly managed to ensure integration. Look at some of the cities and towns in the North of England. They've been taken over by a different culture and that breeds resentment by the British residents pushed out.
In your world, shall we be the only country that doesn't have one, or do you want us all to sing The Red Flag?
Who’s been pushed out? No one has been forcibly removed or stopped from doing anything. There are plenty of migrants in Spain and a fair bit of racial tension at times but 99% of Spanish people get on with it and do most of the same **** their grandparents did. We’ve had areas with high immigration for longer than you or I were around. You’re always going to have a small number of people full of resentment but I just don’t see it as being anywhere near as big an issue as much of our media would have us believe it is.
Sorry you have missed the point. The Erasmus scheme was based on the quality of the research and its potential to produce beneficial scientific outcome, by putting outstanding scientists in outstanding places ( other schemes like the Rhodes scholars...did it too in other parts of the world). Although brilliant it was not designed to give disadvantaged kids a chance to go to India or Africa. And before anyone starts on that front.. I was part of a Wellcome Trust program that took outstanding young medics from Eatern Africa and the far East and gave them opportunities to study at the best laboratories in Europe. The Turing scheme is a poor cousin as it has no access to the outstanding French, German, Italian and Dutch laboratories. It is not attracting top students...who in the case of my area of work...are wandering of to the States and Canada for collaborations and permanent post. Our scholarships are now being filled with rich Chinese and Indian students who can afford our fees out of their own pockets...some are good, but many are not that good. Sad times
I’m a tad disappointed Daniel Khalife didn’t turn up at Westminster Magistrates Court hanging underneath a Black Maria.
