Stronger National Identity

[Coldicote]

At a recent conference in Munich, David Cameron argued that the UK needed a stronger national identity. He also said, " We need to be clear: Islamist extremism and Islam are not the same thing," How do readers suggest we create a stronger national identity? It will need something more than just flying the flag and playng the National Anthem.

[boxtops]

I agree with him on the Islamic comments, the many Muslims I know are not remotely extremist or fanatic, and one does not automatically lead to the other. However, I di question myself how he plans to raise the national identity - and which one, the constituent nations (most of which claim identities of a sort), or the whole of the UK?

[Count-A-Strong]

What has the Islam aspect got to do with anything? Seems to be superfluous to your question, or are you angling for a certain type of response?

[Coldicote]

No, I'm not angling for a certain type of response. I was just trying to avoid possible conflict.

[Count-A-Strong]

But your question made perfect sense without asking about Islam or extremists so why include it?

[anotheoldgit]

Well for a kick off the indigenous English should demand that we are called English and not British.

As those who come from Scotland are called Scottish, and those from Wales are called Welsh, and those from Ireland are called Irish.

[DTCwordfan]

For once I would go further than AOG and seperate the English government away from those of the other three and make them stand on their own economic feet. Why should they have the vote in Parliament over English matters. The consideration I would advocate is having a house for the management of affairs that potentially link us all, i.e royal constitution, UK defence, foreign affairs, and perhaps overseas aid, funded by a common tax to us all. But when it comes to the English economy, education, regional development and all the rest - separation......and from this, perhaps a stronger English identity emerges to rival the Scots, Welsh.......

The key is leadership to define the commonality and the differences to be run at local state level - the EEC could also do with a dose of this and perhaps it is the precursor of a better tuned Europe - common management and voting over common issues between us all - clearer definition and more local government at State level with no interference from Central......

[anotheoldgit]

/// But your question made perfect sense without asking about Islam or extremists so why include it? ///

Because this was all part of Cameron's speech on creating a stronger national agenda.

Why do you seem to want to shy away from mentioning Islam or Extremists?

Since there are now large numbers in England that follow Islam, are they not to be included in our National Identity?

[anotheoldgit]

DTcrosswordfan

Excellent post, I'll go along with that.

[Coldicote]

As reported, David Cameron argued that the UK needed a stronger national identity 'to prevent people turning to all kinds of extremism'. He went on to make references to Islamic groups and my question was in the context of that speech. I share boxtop's comments. Does anyone have practical ideas on how to create a stronger national identity?

[DTCwordfan]

read my contribution coldicote

[madmaggot]

Britain will always be multi-cultural because the brits are zenophobic! This in itself prevents integration by 'others'.
(This is a generalisation and there are of course some who do not fit this mould.)

[DTCwordfan]

This is where Cameron could really leave his mark as a statesman - not only in clarifying a better structure of government for England and the UK (with contribs from the others like the Salmond) but also in the shaping of the EEC into a better USE that leads on commonality between member states and is funded by a clear common tax to all - and leaves each member State (Eng/Sco/Wal/Ire being four states) to do their own thing.

If Belgium, Italy, Spain and Germany want more regional government akin to what could be done within the bounds of the UK, sobeit.......there is such a model that was discussed some 30 years ago of a modern-16thC type Europe led on such a basis.....obviously not quite at city state level but one gets the idea. The opposite model was the two tiered EU which is more the way we have gravitated. I am trying to remember who wrote it and don't have the time this pm to research it.....

[Count-A-Strong]

We firstly need everyone to 'buy in' to wanting a national identity. I believe there are those (some islamists, some not) who would be opposed to this to further their own ends. It's a consequence of a democracy that such groups are allowed to exist and herein lies the biggest stumbling block.

[tamborine]

Remove those burkhas - they're an insult to western women, or stay indoors & remain submissive.

[tamborine]

because we have to allow cctv and so should they.

[e.crespo]

I would like to posit this, in response to seeing Gerry Robinson's programme on 28th January on BBC2 called Can't take it with you, is the way that Moslem women are treated under Sharia Law completely at odds with the way that women's equal rights are now enshrined in British law? Following on from this, how can this be good for the Moslem citizens here, especially the women? When a Moslem doctor (a woman) was told that she was only worth half a man in the eyes of Sharia, and should her husband die she would only inherit one eight of the marital home, her face was a picture, as was her friend's. Time to make these women equal?I think they should be,in the interests of national unity.

[tamborine]

pixi - that's how they portray themselves to me, having never worn a burkha. Why else do they hide themselves - you tell me?