There are ideals and aspirations Britons can be proud of - Democracy, the rule of Law, equality of opportunity for all, regardless of colour, gender, age or creed, tolerance of others,, and the right of its citizens to free expression.
Despite a claimed belief in these values, it always amazes me that those of the libertarian right of centre persuasion, those that always respond to the introduction of new laws as evidence of the "Nanny State", or the "EU taking over England" - it is these who are the first to cry for antidemocractic laws to be passed, over the wearing of clothing. You want to potentially criminalise women over an article of clothing!
Not much evidence there then of the Great British values of tolerance and equality!
There is an argument to be had over whether or not such items as the Burqha are a cultural tool of female oppression, but to attempt to address that by blanket legislation and criminalisation is using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut.
There is also an argument over proof of ID - so in such cases, passport checks, entrance to banks, police checks,etc. there should be no argument that the face should be shown and refusal to do so risks non access to the service or more. Nor should clothing covering the face be allowed for teaching, but to bleat on asking for a general ban is just sad.