Can the UK be Great again????
Poll: Can the UK be Great again????
Total Members Polled: 419
Discussion
Having just spent the afternoon at the RAF Hendon museum where we watched a video on the people of Great Britain pulling together as a nation to ‘win’ WW2 it made me think about the current UK predicament.
In the news at the moment we see and hear the Brexiteer MPs and PM talking about how we will be great again when we pull together once we’ve left the EU......and a thought has crossed my mind. A lot of people that voted Leave did so for a variety of reasons (some misguided) but a significant proportion were to expel non nationals. Can a nation pull together when there is now so much cultural diversity? As a nation have we become so diverse that there is no common cultural history that can pull the UK together?
I must be honest I can’t see it happening with the way society is so fractured at the moment and unfortunately think we are on massive spiral. It is going to take something of great magnitude to make this successful and I have yet to hear anyone voice viable ideas that will achieve it.
So is it possible that we can pull through given that we don’t have a common objective?
In the news at the moment we see and hear the Brexiteer MPs and PM talking about how we will be great again when we pull together once we’ve left the EU......and a thought has crossed my mind. A lot of people that voted Leave did so for a variety of reasons (some misguided) but a significant proportion were to expel non nationals. Can a nation pull together when there is now so much cultural diversity? As a nation have we become so diverse that there is no common cultural history that can pull the UK together?
I must be honest I can’t see it happening with the way society is so fractured at the moment and unfortunately think we are on massive spiral. It is going to take something of great magnitude to make this successful and I have yet to hear anyone voice viable ideas that will achieve it.
So is it possible that we can pull through given that we don’t have a common objective?
Edited by W12GT on Sunday 28th July 16:51
Is it actual common cultural history that pulls people together or a fear of what might happen in their future?
Surely just about everybody has the same desired outcome, irrespective of their culture, which would be something like “to live safely without fear, be well fed and watered and given opportunities to thrive and reach their own potential” or something like that.
Surely background and culture would be irrelevant to such a desired outcome?
If that fails there’s always the draft........
Surely just about everybody has the same desired outcome, irrespective of their culture, which would be something like “to live safely without fear, be well fed and watered and given opportunities to thrive and reach their own potential” or something like that.
Surely background and culture would be irrelevant to such a desired outcome?
If that fails there’s always the draft........
Define 'Great' ? What does it mean to you in order for the UK to reach this status?
I'd argue it is 'Great' now and has been for a long time. It is one of the World's leading countries, one of the wealthiest, has a relatively high standard of living, excellent health care, Social structures and so on.
Arguably, before each World War, the disparity between rich and poor was wider. Post War, Britain experienced a fantastic camaraderie of coming together and fellowship but only prospered as a Nation much later once it had recovered from the ravages for war.
Further back? Empire? Those day's are long gone, the UK will never gather access to the resources it had during those days.
Yes, like many countries the UK is experiencing some challenging times, but it is far better placed than most to deal with them - it isn't diminished by them, it is still 'Great'.
I'd argue it is 'Great' now and has been for a long time. It is one of the World's leading countries, one of the wealthiest, has a relatively high standard of living, excellent health care, Social structures and so on.
Arguably, before each World War, the disparity between rich and poor was wider. Post War, Britain experienced a fantastic camaraderie of coming together and fellowship but only prospered as a Nation much later once it had recovered from the ravages for war.
Further back? Empire? Those day's are long gone, the UK will never gather access to the resources it had during those days.
Yes, like many countries the UK is experiencing some challenging times, but it is far better placed than most to deal with them - it isn't diminished by them, it is still 'Great'.
Edited by Coolbanana on Sunday 28th July 17:16
A lot of Polish, French and Irish nationals helped the country and made sacrifices in wartime. Think if there were to be a big war again people would by and large come together, regardless if they were born here or not. A fight for survival and a way of life, even if that way of life may vary per person more so due to multiculturalism, plus of course people just being individuals.
Outside of times of adversity, what do we define as great?
Outside of times of adversity, what do we define as great?
W12GT said:
In the news at the moment we see and hear the Brexiteer MPs and PM talking about how we will be great again when we pull together once we’ve left the EU......and a thought has crossed my mind. A lot of people that voted Leave did so for a variety of reasons (some misguided) but a significant proportion were to expel non nationals. Can a nation pull together when there is now so much cultural diversity? As a nation have we become so diverse that there is no common cultural history that can pull the UK together?
I think the question that has to be asked is what will change that will allow us to be "great again" that we couldn't already have done?- Schools
- Hospitals
- Mental Health
- Homelessness
- Food Banks
- Caring for our veterans
I struggle to think how those things are anything to do with the EU.
I tend to think too many people, politicians in particular, are looking for the cheap and easy way to get votes which is to blame our ills on other people and institutions, rather than perhaps suggesting we look in the mirror at choices we have made.
"The Sun never sets on the British Empire"
In that sense, no. We were one people who conquered the globe. That will not happen again. We are different. The world is different.
I think we'll be better off outside the EU. As it collapses. But otherwise our futures look closer to George Orwell's predictions than is comfortable.
In that sense, no. We were one people who conquered the globe. That will not happen again. We are different. The world is different.
I think we'll be better off outside the EU. As it collapses. But otherwise our futures look closer to George Orwell's predictions than is comfortable.
Coolbanana said:
Define 'Great' ? What does it mean to you in order for the UK to reach this status?
I'd argue it is 'Great' now and has been for a long time. It is one of the World's leading countries, one of the wealthiest, has a relatively high standard of living, excellent health care, Social structures and so on.
Arguably, before each World War, the disparity between rich and poor was wider. Post War, Britain experienced a fantastic camaraderie of coming together and fellowship but only prospered as a Nation much later once it had recovered from the ravages for war.
Further back? Empire? Those day's are long gone, the UK will never gather access to the resources it had during those days.
Yes, like many countries the UK is experiencing some challenging times, but it is far better placed than most to deal with them - it isn't diminished by them, it is still 'Great'.
This /\ every single word... I am liking the new CB... I'd argue it is 'Great' now and has been for a long time. It is one of the World's leading countries, one of the wealthiest, has a relatively high standard of living, excellent health care, Social structures and so on.
Arguably, before each World War, the disparity between rich and poor was wider. Post War, Britain experienced a fantastic camaraderie of coming together and fellowship but only prospered as a Nation much later once it had recovered from the ravages for war.
Further back? Empire? Those day's are long gone, the UK will never gather access to the resources it had during those days.
Yes, like many countries the UK is experiencing some challenging times, but it is far better placed than most to deal with them - it isn't diminished by them, it is still 'Great'.
Edited by Coolbanana on Sunday 28th July 17:16
te being British!Yep let’s keep kidding ourselves.
Italy is on the up too - they’ll soon be back to Roman Empire levels of greatness
Egypt not far behind......
We’ve had our day as a power - we were a significant part of the EU - and now we’re on our way to being an American outpost - the Puerto Rico of Europe.
Italy is on the up too - they’ll soon be back to Roman Empire levels of greatness
Egypt not far behind......
We’ve had our day as a power - we were a significant part of the EU - and now we’re on our way to being an American outpost - the Puerto Rico of Europe.
Mike335i said:
As said, what is great? It seems that there is such a negative perspective in society that even if things are great, many would not feel it. Everything is geared up for telling us how bad things are.
Well if Boris is going to make us great again it implies we aren't currently great.W12GT said:
Having just spent the afternoon at the RAF Hendon museum where we watched a video on the people of Great Britain pulling together as a nation to ‘win’ WW2 it made me think about the current UK predicament.
In the news at the moment we see and hear the Brexiteer MPs and PM talking about how we will be great again when we pull together once we’ve left the EU......and a thought has crossed my mind. A lot of people that voted Leave did so for a variety of reasons (some misguided) but a significant proportion were to expel non nationals. Can a nation pull together when there is now so much cultural diversity? As a nation have we become so diverse that there is no common cultural history that can pull the UK together?
I must be honest I can’t see it happening with the way society is so fractured at the moment and unfortunately think we are on massive spiral. It is going to take something of great magnitude to make this successful and I have yet to hear anyone voice viable ideas that will achieve it.
So is it possible that we can pull through given that we don’t have a common objective?
Did a significant proportion vote leave to "expel non nationals"?In the news at the moment we see and hear the Brexiteer MPs and PM talking about how we will be great again when we pull together once we’ve left the EU......and a thought has crossed my mind. A lot of people that voted Leave did so for a variety of reasons (some misguided) but a significant proportion were to expel non nationals. Can a nation pull together when there is now so much cultural diversity? As a nation have we become so diverse that there is no common cultural history that can pull the UK together?
I must be honest I can’t see it happening with the way society is so fractured at the moment and unfortunately think we are on massive spiral. It is going to take something of great magnitude to make this successful and I have yet to hear anyone voice viable ideas that will achieve it.
So is it possible that we can pull through given that we don’t have a common objective?
Edited by W12GT on Sunday 28th July 16:51
I can't say I've ever heard a leaver say that. I've heard a lot of remainers say it though.
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