Ashamed to be English

There's a facebook campaign based around Newcastle, condemning the actions of these mindless idiots.
They are encouraging people to support the concept of refusing to take part is similar actions in the North East and sign up in support of this initiative.
It seems a small step, but an important one, to give Geordies the mindset NOT to follow like sheep the actions of the mindless few, initially in London but repeated in other Cities in the South and Midlands.
If communities refuse to become involved, and provide any useful information to the Police, it should be possible to quickly discourage future participation.

I support the initiative supported by 5000 Geordie Community members - they will be of a multitude of Nationalities and Cultures, all wanting to live their lives sensibly and lawfully.

 

I can't help feeling at times that the people described so well by Clare are growing in numbers, add to that the ethnic groups now living here and the 'face' of England is changing totally. I must admit that at times it is hard to be proud to be English because you begin to wonder what English means now!! :(

Val

 

Val, I think you will find the ethnic groups are actually British, not English, well at least I hope not.
Trouble is they very soon will be.

Thanks to 40yrs or more of lousy government.

 

Victoria, I like to think we get on well,
I'm just wondering why you think of yourself as British before being Welsh.
I assume you were born in Wales, I cant see anything wrong with being Welsh, (can you Dai? lol).

British is such a blurred nationality I cant actually think why anyone would actually want to state they are British, other than those that had something to gain by the title.

And I'm sure you are not in that category.

 

So the thread is dead,:D

 

I have in the past felt ashamed to be British, but not specifically English. And my embarrassment has always arisen from the actions of those that claim to represent us all on the world stage (ie the government).

We have some real scumbags in our fair nation, but we have many, many more decent folks, and I'm proud of that.

We are seeing that even in the face of all the recent and ongoing trouble. Ordinary people are going out patrolling the streets with the intention of trying to keep order, because the police can't cope. There is footage of an ordinary couple taking tea and biscuits out to the coppers. We've just learned on this very thread that there are Facebook campaigns to try to stop it.

The situation we have at present is this: A few nasty, and very calculating people are organising the unintelligent and easily led. This has to be the case, when you see footage of people trying shoes on in a busted in shop, without covering their faces, or teenagers looting Netto, people of that level of intellect can't organise a riot. That's not to say that its not their fault, of course it is and they are still filthy scrotes that need to be locked up for their actions, I'm just saying that it is a distinct minority of people in fair old England that are bad. The rest of us, the majority, are decent people.

 

Sorry Pip, but for most of the past 15 years Blair and Brown were in charge, so take THEM to task not Cameron. Mrs Blair made her money by sticking up for this type of yob under the Human Rights Laws. So lay the blame where it needs to be laid.

 

Sorry Pete, I was outside watching a criminal ivestigation programme ... doh! .. can't imagine why I would do that since that's one of the 'loves of my life' .. criminal investigation ...

Yes, pete, I agree I am British .. I have a British passport and I was born in Wales (whether Dai likes it or not) but I'm sure my Passport says that. I left Wales when I was 2 and emigrated to Canada, then at age 4/5 emigrated to the US ... shall I go on ... ? I have nothing to gain by the title but I haven't given up my British citizenship / passport .. as my husband has not his American. We are both now permanent residents in Portugal and duly pay our taxes here ... as we still do in the UK on our UK pensions.

 

Pete, I am Welsh first and foremost, but British second . The innocent English citizens have my support and sympathy. 3 young men died yesterday, but the fire in Croydon on Monday could have killed a whole lot more.

 

I confess to being decidedly tired of the 'Nationalistic' attitudes expressed in some of the postings. There is clearly serious frustration in parts of the UK society and will continue to be so long as the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots'. This in no way excuses the behaviour of so many in the last few days which is abhorrent to all except those who believe it is acceptable to steal and set fire to other peioples property - sheer criminality.

I must also confess to being both English and British - I've travelled plenty and respect other nationalities, a little less antagonism in this thread would go down well...........

 

I stand corrected Dai, it was Milliband who made the comment.

 

Did the rioters in the countries you mentioned deliberately keep the police occupied in one area whilst other gangs went off looting and destroying local businesses?

 

If we're talking rioters... this is Blair's legacy. Under his leadership some of the country lost what it means to have a work ethic, they lost what it means to take personal responsibility for what you do and have in life. The rioters are Blair's children. They want it and they want it now and they want someone else to pay. The welfare system became over generous.

Blair and his government tried to say everyone one was equal, everyone would have what they wanted and succeed but what he didn't say was that to succeed you have to work damned hard. So when these kids and young people don't get it on a plate they feel let down and go and steal it instead. They just want fame without work, tv celebrity moments without hard graft, a degree without effort.

I'll get off my soap box now. :D The only reason Scotland is quiet is that Salmond chucks even more benefits his nations way than labour did!

My great grandfather was 100% welsh, my grandparents on other side were Irish londoners. I used to think I was British but sadly I am not sure what it means any more.

 

Sadly a lot of truth in the above but you forgot Thatcher aswell I think her policies which Blair continued started the rot