Part 14: Idiosyncrasies and eccentricities There are many idiosyncrasies and eccentricities that Brits are renowned for the World over. Our obsession with tea and biscuits, for instance. Likewise, our love of fish and chips, Sunday roasts and full breakfasts. These days, however, what we eat is less of a national trait than it once was…

Part 13: The Monarchy The British have a love-hate relationship with their monarchy. It is an archaic and mysterious institution, part pomp and pageantry and part soap opera. The ceremony associated with the monarchy is part of our national identity and something we have a reputation for doing well — changing the guard, trooping…

Part 12: Health and welfare It has often been said that the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members. After the war in Europe had ended, a wind of change swept across Britain and one of the ways in which this expressed itself was with a…

Part 11: Religion Britain is often referred to as a ‘Christian country’ but these days, this seems more a hangover from the past than a present reality. …

Part 10: Free speech Britain has long been held up as a bastion of free speech. Free speech is vital to a healthy democracy, by enabling the powerful to be held to account. It also underpins other civil liberties such as the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and the right to…

Part 9: Social class Britain is, and always has been, a class-ridden society. Society continues to be divided on a hierarchical basis, with an individual’s social class being determined by birth, wealth, education and occupation. There is no doubt that this is still the case given that those holding top jobs are five times…

Part 8: Parliamentary sovereignty The British like to be in control, or at least think that they are. Maybe it is our pride, or pugnacity, or both but we do not like feeling beholden to anyone. We want to be seen to stand on our own feet and do things on our own terms…

Part 7: Justice and the Rule of Law British people have a respect for the law and a keen sense of justice. They like to know where they stand and what their rights are and who they can appeal to if a decision feels unjust. The rule of law and parliamentary democracy lie at the heart of the…

Part 6: Democracy Democracy is part of our everyday lives in Britain. It is all about being able to have a say in decisions that affect us and sharing responsibility for outcomes. When a group of people is given a choice, a simple show of hands is democracy in action, whether choosing between…