As questions about our role in Europe come up again, it was no surprise that John Cruddas MP voted in favour of a referendum in line with the view of his constituents in Dagenham. We could ask whether or not the Labour party line is out of touch with the nation, but I think the real question here is about British identity and how Europe fits into that.
Identity is a strange thing and I wonder where our sense of national identity comes from. I believe our identity is made up from a number of different layers. My England looks like the rows of sari shops on Green Street, sounds like my evangelical church on Sundays, tastes like Jerk Chicken rice & peas and smells like my favourite Pie & Mash shop behind West Ham football stadium. That doesn’t make it any less English, as our culture is ever changing and made up of many fragments.
I take comfort and great pride in a much wider sense of our identity, that of ‘Britishness’, a shared cultural history which many black Britons find easier to identify with. I also share a common European cultural history with fellow black Dutch and French people. For me, this is a story of migration and colonialism, which has changed forever what it means to be European.
However, some feel that there cannot be and refuse to be part of a common national or European identity. Unpicking the reasons could be varied and complex, but the end result of non-integration and isolation is clear. After the devastating July 7 London bombings, I thought ‘what could have driven them to hate their own country so much?’, but I don‘t think they ever saw it as their country. During my travels through southern Africa, I saw the ugly results of non-integration, after 300 years in Africa I felt that the white communities there may as well have been living on another planet as there had been no effort to embrace African culture, but rather, in my view, a clear rejection of it. There needs to be a balance as no one should be expected to sacrifice their cultural heritage for integration, rather it should be another layer that enriches it.
During the campaign against the BNP in Barking and Dagenham I was passed a copy of their magazine. It came as no surprise to me that the magazine was called ‘Identity’ and it was apparent that a growing group of people feel that their identity is being stripped away from them. Europe, rather than enriching our identity, is seen as yet another threat. With the demise of Britain’s industrial economy and the growth of a new knowledge-based economy, there seems to be no place in this new and uncertain Britain for the white working class. But can we afford to continue to see Europe as such a threat to our national identity, when it could be our salvation?
The world has changed and is due to change again. After the global financial crises and while Europe is still in difficulties, the calls have been for closer integration not isolation. Our national pride depends upon our place in the world and that seems to be slipping as our influence in Europe slips.
In the rebuilding of a national identity that might include a European element, we ought to start with a blank canvas. Instead of looking back to a time when Britain ruled the world on its own, maybe the golden age of British identity is not in the past, but here and now. Only when we grasp this will we be able to embrace our new identity and survive in the age of political and financial globalisation. We now live in a world where we must integrate, but can still hold on to our own unique identity. The fear is that if we move closer to Europe we will lose what make us so special – I would argue that if we let go of Europe we may end up losing what makes us special in the first place.
Josephine Channer is a councillor in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham
Photo: toastbrot81
“Virgin Money” gawd it sounds like a Frank Zappa album, thank God Frank’s not here (all those American imports Branson started with eh ,all that music, all that feeling ,teenage rebellion,love,dancing ,attitude
ideals even ! deary me )
sorry but this does not make sense.
Is this article about British identity, English identity or London identity?
“My England looks like the rows of sari shops on Green Street, sounds like my evangelical church on Sundays, tastes like Jerk Chicken rice & peas and smells like my favourite Pie & Mash shop behind West Ham football stadium. That doesn’t make it any less English, as our culture is ever changing and made up of many fragments.”
Have you ever set foot in the England that exists outside London? Or been to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
ah yeah but the trouble with England outside London, Toque ,or any other city is that its all run by Tories ,on the Council, in the rich neighbourhoods, as well as government,so like, who wants to go THERE!
“I also share a common European cultural history with fellow black Dutch and French people”.
Maybe you should start with a blank canvas instead of looking back (your words not mine).
Josie,
Lets forget Cruddas as he believes in nothing and represents nothing and move to the salient and wonderfully intellectual points you have raised, lets hope Flint knew what she was doing when she identi-kitted you for fast tracking, again lets forget these brainless MPs and cut to the points you raise.
My sense of identity is classical I think of beautiful English buildings, like all countries, an imperfect history of love, scandal, tyranny, struggle and sacrifice. I adore Oxford, I love the nature reserves across the country and its heritage. A recent poll placed the National Trust very highly indeed, we Brits love, adore and romanticize about our history and we all wish the Downton Abbey was the truth, for nobility of position accompanied by nobility and honor of behavior, we are dying for moral leadership and conduct and identity.
If you ever meet an Officer in the mob they will usually boast about being Officers but not gentlemen, and I had to intercede to prevent one raping a girl once (who was married). Like our MPs and Banker they have become arrogant and believe they can get away with anything, there are good exceptions however.
There is a European “friendship” there is no identity.
The people who decide to commit suicidal murder do not hate the country as such they hate the political settlement across the Globe which they believe to be sinful you are on the wrong wavelenght here and therefore are unable to address the issues. They believe they are being targeted by the west wich they believe to be morally degrading and unfair and believe they have no other way of creating change.
Lots of people at the moment believe they cannot change things or even have a role to play. But they are not taking it out on the civilians.
I agree with you completely on integration, when I traveled to South Korea and various other countries one always assumes the duty of respecting their ways and culture, and learning their language. Its a matter of respect. Where Immigration has failed in Europe and the Globe was the lack of education and discipline needed by those traveling to other countries to ensure that they realized they would be diplomats in these countries when they visited. Once again an expedient maladjusted misunderstanding of our ignorant political unelites. The greatest losers of the modern age that will be recorded for centuries to come.
When times are tough Global Economy means nothing. I don’t see the Global Economy breaking its back for Greece or Italy or Spain lol. When times are tough your political representatives become very important and the people ask “are they on our side”? This is also happening now in Barking and Dagenham and the Council that you support is failing again…..
So are the MPs.
There is no pride here any more and people feel they have no voice as they do across Europe. We could have engaged the community but under the singular authoritarian Leader and his “inner voices” we are limited to watching him isolate himself and the Executive increasingly. This is dangerous and the MP Cruddas is unwilling to intercede which raises many questions as to his ulterior motives that do not match his intellectual scribblings and speeches.
The rebuilding of identity begins with self-value and dignity, not pride, pride leads to nationalism and racism. Pride has two separate definitions, one positive and one destructive and a fine line in between.
You are off key, but you recognize the issues and for that I thank you. probably the only intelligent comments any Councillor on the Council has ever written.
But remember in the Council chamber, of 50 none of you are prepared for opposition and I’ll take you all apart as I have in the local newspaper, safe seats do not develop skill or ability and now you all learn what it is to have an opponent, and this will help you as good training should you get on the GLA.
Take care Josie and all you Progressive Rabbits.
By the way Josie, in passing lol
Remember poor Jon White the exec member for HR trying his best to argue capita are not outsourcing (confusing contractual agreement with the nature of the person making the agreement) when Capita actually use the term “outsourcing” under their website title lol?
Do you remember when i accused him of lying to the Council but just using the term “an Executive” and how the whole lot of went running to the whip like injured children blubbing to mummy?
They will take opposition badly, they will take it personally and will not be able to cope, they believe their executive positions are positions of luxury, leaving decisions to the “experts” (quoting Exec member Linda reason at the last scrutiny when she tried to avoid answering questions and fell back to the poor Council Officers – truly unintelligent and truly pathetic).
You however have to see this as “training” and should show me no mercy in the Council Chamber, its the least I can do after having ago at Caroline Flint. Lets call it manners.
In the meantime i will continue to use the simple “home alone” tactics on the brainless bullies and weird blog writers of Cruddas’s Dagenham Labour Party or the ex-Councillors or whoever they use to write their weird twisted and maladjusted and juvenile poisonous comments about Labour Councillors and Barking Labour Party.
Oh and because I can’t resist it, I suspect the “political adviser” Cruddas and Liam Smith have “appointed” at tax payer expense will be looking to find crap on me…lol…I suspect the dolt will be looking at my Newspparer comments and huffington post article….the bait is set……as it was when i planned to become independent and take these idiots on and they gave me what i wanted (I can provide the “press release” of the details and role of the Exec in informing the media before me of my “suspension”).
Core this is fun 🙂 almost as good as beating real Tories.