What Makes One Truly British?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2660762/Liberal-political-class-fuelling-voters-anger-migrants-They-fail-understand-publics-concern-peril-say-experts.html

Well according to the survey, 95% say it is speaking English, but is it a lot more than that?

/// And, when asked about what makes people ‘truly British’, 95 per cent of the survey’s participants said speaking English was an important factor – up from 85 per cent in 2003. ///

[brionon]

If it were Speaking English then most of Scandinavia,Holland and Belgium would be Brits.

[Gromit]

// Liberal political class 'fuelling voters' anger over migrants': They fail to understand the public's concern at their peril, say experts //

Here is NatCen's page about the poll. They seem rather apolitical. They certainly don't name the Liberal political class as being responsible, perhaps that is what the Daily mail think, but not NatCen or the public.

IF it is the Liberal political classes fault, that seems to ignore the 4 years contribution of our Conservative Prime Minister and his MPs in the Government. Is this some kind of admission by the Mail that they have been ineffectual?

[royfromaus]

What Makes One Truly British?


Wanting the British representative to win the 2014 World Cup.

[ichkeria]

I would have said "speaking English" is a factor. Americans do that and they aren't British.
What makes you "British" is your passport
And probably nothing else.
"English" "Irish" etc is a different matter

[RATTER15]

ichkeria, the Americans speak English!! you must be joking!! certainly not the English that the English speak.

[anotheoldgit]

Well there have been some strange answers, so here is my two pennies worth.

I presume that this is referring to all those from foreign shores who have chosen to come and live in our great country?

Well yes being able to speak English would be a great start in becoming truly British, but not only the ability to speak it but also to use it.

Then to lead one's life in the British way, not in the way in which they led it in their 'old country'

Be prepared if asked to defend Britain, and to obey it's laws, traditions and culture.

Then if they are prepared to do all that, then they can be classed as a true British subject.

Now how strange is that answer?

[Zeuhl]

Your answer doesn't really work in reality aog

Which is what makes it such an interesting question

able to speak English

Yes

lead one's life in the British way

Yes ... but; does every British' person lead their life in the same way?
what are the fundamental defining characteristics?

Be prepared if asked to defend Britain

Yes

obey it's laws

Yes

traditions and culture

Again... which ones?

Morris Dancing (Moorish Dancing)?
Church of England rituals (no thank you)
Fox Hunting (already condemned to the dust bin of history)
Queuing (possibly)
Carry on Films (ooh err missus)

selecting those is where the interesting part begins

[youngmafbog]

1) The British Social Attitudes survey found 95% of people thought to be "truly British" you must speak English - up from 86% in 2003.
Ans: Yes, I think everyone living in this country should speak the lingo, how else can you integrate? plus I dont want to pay for interpreters for the NHS and other organizations for those that cant be bothered.

2) It also found more than three quarters of people - 77% - say you must have lived in Britain for most of your life, while 51% said "true Brits" must have British ancestry.
Ans : To be truly British I guess living a reasonable part of your life but for me it really matters on how you live. If you segregate yourself, hate the flag, hate the country then it doesnt matter how long you have lived here. I dont think you have to have British ancestry to become British though.

3) Some 74% also said it is important to be born in Britain.
Ans: I dont agree, although it depends on the actions of the individual being 'British'

4) The study also reveals that 61% of people believe EU immigrants should have to wait three years for access to welfare benefits.
Ans: At least 3 years and those years should have been spent paying UK taxes, ie paying into the system before you take out seems fair.

5) And only 27% think legal immigrants who are not British citizens should have the same rights as the rest of the country - down from 40%.
Ans: Depends on the 'right' I suppose so I am not sure on this one.

[anneasquith]

we don't have british representatives in the world cup , its England .

[Zeuhl]

anne

England is the British representative as the other British football association teams failed to qualify

[royfromaus]

Not British ^

[anneasquith]

no they are not................England is the English representatives,

[royfromaus]

Sorry, Zeuhl...that was obviously for anne.

[Zeuhl]

England is part of Britain

Therefore the England team are representatives of Britain at the World Cup

If Scotland, Wales or N Ireland (the other British FAs) had qualified, Britain would have had several representatives there as we have in World Cups previously.

[anneasquith]

we will have to agree to disagree on this one:) Z.

[Zeuhl]

OK Anne

as long as you believe the England team aren't British LOL :-)

[inksplotter]

It's always left wing newspapers, particularly tabloids, who commission these surveys. The Mirror, The Indie and The Gaurniad don't seem to care less.

(BTW That is Private Eye's nickname)

[anneasquith]

Z. I believe the English team are English. un less there are Scottish/welsh/ boys playing for England, which I doubt !!!!!!!!!!! :)