The World’s Greatest Blog

I’m glad I never had to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen and country at school. I’m a republican and don’t think it’s in the interests of the country or democracy to uphold the aristocracy. Also, I’m not patriotic or even that proud of my country. I will probably live abroad again sometime soon.

I believe it is my democratic right to question the system of government in my home country in the interests of improving life here. The government here is an administrative necessity -not an emotional rallying point. I would not appreciate being brain-washed by my own teachers into accepting the status quo. Parliamentary democracy is far from democratic and so it should not be so blindly supported by schools.

I don’t believe in nationalism -it is the cause of most wars and may I remind the stupid bureaucrats suggesting this policy that “Britain” is an imagined community. It exists only in our ideas and laws -all of which are changeable. Once upon a time, Britain was ruled by a series of tribes, local kings and foreign invaders. It still consists of four different countries with their own administrations, languages and cultures.

Local identity is very important within Britain -every county has its own dialects, accents and histories. So how can we all subscribe to some grand “British identity” in the name of social cohesion when there hasn’t been cohesion between London and everywhere else for hundreds of years?

I know everyone wants immigrants to fit in. However, when Cornwall (or Kernow) still wants independence, which British identity should immigrants fit in with? I say let them sort themselves out because fitting in with London society is completely different from fitting in with Dales life, for example.

Another problem - why should immigrants have to swear allegiance to our country when I, as a British person with a British family history stretching back beyond records, have the right to call the Queen a distraction, the parliament undemocratic and the political system worthy of complete overhaul. The right of a citizen is to disagree and form a new, better system. Unquestioning obedience will result in an Orwellian government of authoritarianism -because you always get the government you deserve.