Speaking as one who considers himself British and Irish, and since the concept of Britishness is intimately linked to the concept of the United Kingdom, I remind noble Lords of the words of Sir Patrick Mayhew—now the noble and learned Lord, Lord Mayhew—in 1994 in Dublin. He spoke of his belief that all of the people of these islands—English, Welsh, Scots and Irish—share far more than divides them; a belief that in a democratically established union there is more strength to be found in the sum of its constituent parts.
Lord Bew speaking in last week's debate on "Britishness" in the House of Lords. His was only one of several very good speeches on the subject- the debate can be read here.
4 comments:
Just noticed that poll you did way back, whose result is still up on the page!
Just 30% saying British, with 78% saying English/Welsh/Scottish/NI and a further 31% saying Irish. (Doesn't add up at all, I guess it was a multi-choice?).
While Lord Bew may see himself as both British and Irish, it seems that the vast mahority of readers of an Unionist blog do not see themselves as British!
Just noticed that poll you did way back, whose result is still up on the page!
I keep all the polls up, even if I'm unhappy witht he results!!
Just 30% saying British, with 78% saying English/Welsh/Scottish/NI and a further 31% saying Irish. (Doesn't add up at all, I guess it was a multi-choice?).
Yes, it was deliberately multi-choice, I believe it is possible to be british and English/ N. irish/ Irish/Welsh or Scottish. To be honest, I was surprised so many voted for "only" British.
While Lord Bew may see himself as both British and Irish, it seems that the vast mahority of readers of an Unionist blog do not see themselves as British!
It might be a Unionist blog but I don;t filter the readership so nationalists are also allowed to read!
Usually people tend to draw in the readers who agree with them (Guardian = students, Daily Mail = idiots, telegraph = bores, Sun = horny!)
"Horny" is not the first description that comes to mind when I think of Sun readers!!
The difference with the actual paper newspapers and blogs is obviously that you have to pay for the latter whilst I'm doing this solely for the love of my nation and to wind-up Celtic nationalism!!
More seriously, I've no idea the political outlook of the readership, I'm guessing it's more nationalist than unionist on the basis of the comments made, the results of my surveys and the fact that unionism ( of the UK variety) is almost totally conspicious by his absence from the Uk blogosphere.
TBH it actually makes more sense to be preaching to the non-converted (and hostile!!) than those who're singing from the same hymn book I suppose.
Post a Comment