Does Britain suck?

[Rhisiart]

Crime rates in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) have always equalled the USA with one notable exception; gun related homicide. This now seems to be changing, at least in the major English metropolitian areas.

Worse still, a recent United Nations report found Britain to be at the bottom of the table in terms of child well-being (poverty, abuse, teenage pregnancies and child related crime) - in many cases even worse than the poorest parts of America.

What is it about British society that is so rotten?

[rubaiyat]

Get rid of the Poms and your problem is fixed!

s:-)

[mw84]

Despite all the bad stuff, I'm still proud to be British.

[ora]

It does suck somewhat, hence me leaving

I think that report was a bit dodgy though, as it was based on some odd factors. I have to say I'm very rarely proud of being British though, in no small part because the right seems to have appropriated patriotism. Whether its the crypto-racism of the Daily Mail or the outright racism and bigotry of people like the British National Party (our fascist party), it makes me want to be seen as a European not a Brit.

[mw84]

Defector! When I said British, in reality I meant English. We're in a right state at the moment but I can't imagine myself living anywhere else, no matter how much pain she causes me. There are a lot worse countries to live in.

Where are you living now Ora?

[ora]

Hi mw,

I'm living in Switzerland, working for one of the international organisations, so am nominally working for the state, at least the British government pays my salary!

I never used to imagine living abroad, but its a pretty eye opening experience, extra perspectives on your own culture and that of others. I'd recommend it for a spell if you get the chance. The bonus here is the work is in English so I only have to use my terrible french in bars etc.

I guess I'll end up back in the UK at some point, but I have to say I'm not in a hurry, or at least am open to other alternatives. Maybe I can try out my Brit accent in the US or something

[monktus]

Yes, Britain does suck, it's not functioning as a democracy anymore and it's high time we ditched it. The UK doesn't seem capable of tackling crime, from petty crime to violent crime, while creating more and more legislation that infringes on civil liberties. We also seem to have let illegal wars and weapons of mass destruction slip through the net.

We'd all live in fairer, freer, more prosperous nations if we repealed the Acts of Union and created new modern European states accountable to their citizens.

[ora]

Monktus - I'm with you up to the Acts of Union bit. I have no imperialistic desire to keep Scotland with England, but i think the countries do benefit from one another on many levels. Perhaps an adjustment to something the Scots felt was more equal, but I'd hate to see us cut our ties entirely. We need each other, be it for social or political reasons, and would be less apart.

One good part of the idea though, we could make you take Blair and Brown back!!