Blog 86
We all need them. If it’s ok for the French to tell themselves that they bring haute couture and fine dining to a grateful world and for the Italians to ‘own’ opera and pizza, then I’m sure it’s fine for us Brits to tell everyone that colonisation and our empire were an undiluted blessing for the world.
And, if it’s ok for ‘First Canadians’ of the Pacific north west coast to believe they were born from a raven’s egg, this blog is happy to go along with the story that Britain has never been conquered, provided of course, we ignore the repeated waves of Picts, Scots, Angles, Jutes, Saxons, Romans, Vikings and Normans who were only too happy to find these islands occupied by the most submissive, accommodating peoples that they encountered anywhere. Then add in a sample of the less aggressive waves of incomers like the Huguenots, Jews escaping from the pogroms in Eastern Europe, the Irish, the Windrush generation, the Ugandan Asians and Syrian refugees and asylum seekers, and hey presto! We can now interpret Britain as surely one of the most diverse and integrated countries in the world – and no bad thing, I say. Not a bad distinguishing national characteristic eh?
And what about that myth so beloved of Brexiteers? The one about Britain ‘standing alone’ in World War 2 against the evil German foe – which is kind of sweet if you choose to ignore the millions of French, Dutch, Belgians, Scandinavians, Greeks, Maltese, Croatians and Poles who “stood alone” alongside us. Who do you think you are kidding Mr. Hitler?
To say nothing of the millions of Americans, Canadians, Caribbeans, Africans, Australians, New Zealanders and a far greater number of Russians and their allies in Eastern Europe who would no doubt have defeated Nazi Germany on their own but were probably grateful for our contribution.
And let us not forget the contribution from the Indian sub-continent, many of whom no doubt fought under a British flag. After all, the Indian Army poured no fewer than 1.5 million men under arms into the British effort in WW1 so was unlikely to have missed out totally in WW2! – especially in the Pacific and Asian theatres of war.
Oh yes, Britain “stood alone” ok to save the free world. So, of course the EU owes us a living!
Now, what colour should I get my face painted for the game?
sankersblog 