Rule Britannia? Sadly I’m Ashamed To Be British
Yes, I’m ashamed to be British! The strange thing is this realisation came to me just after a triumph for the UK. Last Saturday, I sat down with my husband and sister to watch the Eurovision song contest. For those of you who don’t know, the Eurovision song contest is an annual competition where all the countries in Europe submit a candidate who performs a song. A combination of jury votes and audience votes from each country determines the winner. There are some absolutely bonkers entries, so it’s always fun to watch, win or lose. Check out this year’s entry from Norway, and you’ll see what I mean!
We here in the UK are not especially popular and usually come in the lower half of the board, if not last. So, I was pleasantly surprised by this year’s entry by YouTube star Sam Ryder. It was a fantastic song, and he has a massive following worldwide. I was hopeful. To my great surprise, we came second to Ukraine, which most people had guessed would win simply as a gesture of solidarity.
Second place was a phenomenal result and enough to make you proud to be British. I was about to post exactly that on my Facebook page, but then I stopped to think about what I was saying. The hard, sad truth is I am not proud to be British and even less proud to be English. Here’s why.
Our Politicians
Politicians are not generally held in high regard, but the band of miscreants who leads the country now honestly turns my stomach. Nevertheless, I still vote, firstly in deference to all the brave women who fought for my right to vote. Secondly, millions of people worldwide don’t have access to democratic voting, so it seems wrong I waste that privilege. Finally, I can’t complain about the government and then do nothing to change it.
I wish I believed voting would change it, but every party seems as bad as the other.
Here are just a handful of reasons I hate the current government so much:
1) Covid. While medical staff were spending months away from their families, thousands of people died alone with no loved ones to hold their hand, and the whole world felt profound isolation and fear, the government continued to hold parties. They flagrantly disregarded their own rules while imploring the rest of us to think about others and follow them.
The police have now handed out a total of 126 fines to government members, including the Prime Minister, for breaking lockdown rules. This is a bloody disgrace!
2) The UK government has decided to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda while their case is considered. Rather than treat these people who have been traumatised, tortured, raped, persecuted and been in fear for their lives with compassion, we’re going to send them to a third world country: Bravo, guys, you despicable human beings.
3) An MP was caught looking at porn on his phone while in parliament
4) Another MP has been told not to attend parliament while he is investigated for rape.
5) The government has done nothing to help the most vulnerable while we face the worst cost of living crisis in decades. 2.5 million people are now relying on food banks to be able to eat regularly. Soaring utility prices mean millions are having to choose between heating and eating.
The UK is one of the richest countries in the world! How is this happening? Possibly because our country is run by a bunch of former private school elitists who cannot understand what it is like to struggle financially and also don’t care.
The chancellor’s wife admitted not paying taxes in the UK for her foreign work. Billion dollar companies like Google and Amazon pay almost nothing in taxes, yet the loopholes that allow them to are not closed.
Russian oligarchs have bought up so much property in London that it’s practically impossible for anyone born there to afford a home any longer.
The balance of wealth and power here in the UK are so far out of kilter it’s terrifying. How did it all go so wrong? I’m ashamed to be British but am I the only one?
2) Football Hooligans
I say football, but honestly, this is just an excuse they use for their bad behaviour. In fact, I think they’re just a bunch of thugs who adore violence. How do I know? Sometimes they get drunk and smash up town centres before the match! How in this day and age do people think violence and criminal damage are acceptable or fun? I will say this seems to be much more of an English problem than the rest of the countries in the UK. We seem to have a higher than average quota of brainless, drunken yobs.
I cannot put it any better than the wonderful comedian Jonathan Pie did here. Fair warning, he uses a lot of profanity, so if that will offend you, give it a miss.
3) Racism
Racism also links back to hooliganism. Some sickening racial insults have been shouted at international players at matches around the UK. When the Black Lives Matter protests were happening worldwide, we in the UK had the distinction of having counter protests. Yes, that’s right! People actually arguing against equality for all.
There have also been a number of fascist demonstrations in my home town of Newcastle. It turns my stomach that this festering nastiness still exists. What is wrong with people?
Finally, I refer you back to my article concerning the strip search by police of a 15-year-old black girl at school simply because staff thought she smelled of cannabis. I fear we’re heading back to the dark ages and I’m scared for the future. If any story sums up why i’m ashamed to be British this is it.
4) Brexit
I have never seen a huge group of people so wilfully allowing themselves to be lied to as I did during Brexit. The country seemed to take leave of its senses. Of course, there would not be “an extra £350 million pounds a week to spend on the NHS”. All our jobs are not being stolen by immigrants due to free travel. Of course, it will make trading with Europe, our biggest trading partner, more difficult, and yes, it carried a huge risk of reigniting the troubles in Northern Ireland.
All the leavers glossed over that, though, and when anyone countered their arguments, they were accused of lying or being brainwashed by the EU. Now we are up sh*t creek without a paddle, and there’s no way back. Check out this fisherman who voted to leave and whose business has been decimated as a result.
I Hope It Gets Better
It genuinely makes me sad that i’m ashamed to be British. It feels to me that as a country, we’re moving backwards. Becoming more racist, xenophobic, isolationist and lowest common denominator. I am longing for change, for us to become a better run, unbiased and happy nation. I want equality for all. I want to take care of the most vulnerable members of society. I would like to see tougher punishments for violent crimes, particularly those with any kind of hate element. We were a great country once; can’t we please be that again?
