What is “Britishness”?

Endnote

I used to think that Britishness was something that ran through the inhabitants of these isles like letters through a stick of rock. I have always believed that Britishness is multi-faceted, born of our long, complex and colourful history which makes it difficult to define in simple terms but something that we all recognise when we see it. For example, in Marcus Rashford’s determined campaign to ensure that children are fed during school holidays; in Captain Tom’s inspirational walk to raise money for the NHS which captured the hearts of the nation; in the Thursday evening clapping on our doorsteps to show our gratitude to front-line workers during the first-wave of the pandemic (until it was politicised by the Government); in the collaboration of our scientists with their peers around the world to develop effective vaccines against the virus at speed. These are the kind of endeavours that make us feel proud to be British. Britishness encapsulates the decency, respect, truth, fairness, resilience, compassion, sacrifice, inspiration, collaboration and encouragement that we see in those we hold in high esteem.

The blitz was a bitter and violent episode in the history of our nation which cost thousands of civilian lives, destroyed millions of homes and left many physically and mentally scarred. Yes, it was a terrifying ordeal that the nation survived but it is not particularly relevant to the problems of 21st century Britain. What defines us goes far deeper than a single period in history. Invoking wartime terminology like the “blitz…