This Is Why British People Are Less Proud Of Their History Than At Any Other Time - Peter Hitchens

[@albert21able]

In 1948, a homogenous british population was 48 million. Today, in a now multicultural british population of 68 million, the indigenous population is now down to 44 million, 74% of the population and falling fast.

[@markmewordz6860]

Only 68 million ... really? Our sewerage system that can no longer contain the s**t that our citizenry produces kinda says it all? This said, I concur with the point which you raise.

[@paulhayes6920]

And your point is? (With this sort of nonsense being banded about no wonder young people are choosing not to have children - what sort of future are you offering - a return to the 50s? Hitchin's actually blamed colour TV!)

[@MaverickSeventySeven]

​@@paulhayes6920- Having lived through the '1950's the quality of life despite the frugality was, overall, the Finest one could experience! The deterioration was in large part due to a "DISCONNECT" with the following generations, that is, those born in 1960 onwards, with those who had FOUGHT IN WW11or had participated in it!!! FACT. The deep appreciation of the "quality" of life HARD FOUGHT FOR, was instilled in the generation of that time! Many male Teachers had participated in the Armed Forces and understood discipline and self discipline - bearing in mind that RATIONING even did not end until mid 1950's so that food and waste were upper most in most people's minds. No iPhones, few people had phones and even fewer had television!!! The "invadion" of I'll educated illegals who have no affinity with this great Nation, has badly corroded its values! When you have a joke of a Foreign Secretary who is not even English who has no roots in English Culture, History can not speak a Foreign language, when we have a non English Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan Pakistani of the Islamic Ideology then you know the extent of the deterioration of the English way of life and the reasons for it. Generational disconnect by parents and teachers especially from those who FOUGHT for the values that made England GREAT!!!!.,

[@thomasbootham2707]

I don’t think it’s due to race as Singapore is very multicultural yet they are very proud of their country and history

[@banginghats2]

More modern 'education' and more foreigners living here will obviously lead to less pride in the whole population.

[@jandejong2430]

I'm proud of British history and I'm not even British..

[@markmewordz6860]

Thank you friend.

[@TheLucanicLord]

Which events did you take part in?

[@charles9126]

Don’t be too ashamed. Anyone can succumb to propaganda if they are not vigilant.😮

[@Karl_Burton]

A survey of British people is more likely to be a survey of people with a British passport

[@gazlives]

and that would suggest the number of native brits that are proud of their nation's history is much much higher. 80+ %

[@moeszyslak7304]

And now the British passport has lost its value too

[@johnallen7807]

My thoughts exactly, an extra 10 million since 2000, 84% immigrants or their children. A poll in Leicester showed only 8% think of themselves as British while London is only 30% white!

[@davidmorgan6896]

​@@gazlives"Native Brits" are less than 20% of the population.

[@Bernd-m2o]

What else should it be? A survey of people with a French passport?

[@philiprenshaw9184]

Instead of focusing on the negative aspects, how about looking at the positive things Britain gave to the world, and the legacy it left behind.

[@toast2610]

Yes, lets get back to the foundations.. Sophistry.

[@Ofelas1]

Positive, ww1 was the beginning of the end of the empire

[@GilbertdeClare0704]

Ooh, no, no, no, no ! We CAN'T have THAT "Lens" can we ! There would be NO conflict, and then there would be NO proletariat rising up to seize control of the means of production ! Do you want stability or something ?

[@raedwulf61]

The best thing Britain gave the world is the United States of America.

[@Ofelas1]

@@raedwulf61 Britain "stole" from the natives...

[@paulpaustovanu8816]

THE PROBLEM IS THAT ARE FEWER BRITISH PEOPLE IN BRITAIN, BY DESIGN.

[@davidmorgan6896]

I hear that Alcan have got a sale on. Tinfoil hats half price.

[@markmewordz6860]

@@davidmorgan6896 You, my friend, represent a clear manifestation as to how deep the rot has set.

[@markmewordz6860]

Clinton Baptiste~ "I'm getting the word ... Kalergi"

[@markmorrid8144]

Keep your head in the sand 🙄​@@davidmorgan6896

[@microfarming8583]

The British don't reproduce, they chose materialism and hedonism over family and culture. No one to blame but themselves

[@darbyheavey406]

The Brits ended slavery in the West among many others.The UK has a lot to be proud of.

[@mmcc5846]

Darby heaven no they never they child workhouses until the 1930s is that not child slavery muppet

[@jimschannel2220]

I’m ashamed of the last 14 years of the corrupt Tory govt.

[@GavinScrimgeour]

What have the Romans ever done for us?

[@SwordJames]

2021 Census has White British at 74.4%. 64% of respondents are proud of their history. Not a 1:1 match but I wouldn't expect a foreigner to be proud of British history.

[@ConnerTucker-p7u]

“We fought the wrong enemy.” General George S. Patton. I realize he was an American but the same holds true for Britain.

[@Sean-p3o]

Patton really loved war so I’d be wary about using him It is true that many people in western countries believe that Stalins USSR was the main threat not Germany But you try to convince A British and French public to fight on Germanys Side post 1914-19 As Peter said the true damage was Britain getting involved in a stupid argument on the continent and I’d look seriously at those who pushed for it inc a certain W S Churchill

[@ConnerTucker-p7u]

@@Sean-p3o The Banksters are always behind war, millions have been slaughtered for them.

[@chefinwood]

Working for a purpose. Having a meaningful job that is enriching and actually improves your life helps towards the prosperity of your community and, ultimately, your country. Im in the hospitality sector as a chef. I feed people. Thats my purpose.

[@deanmadnut2614]

I'm English and I'm proud of my history because of the infistructure it gave, people always talk about the negatives but every empire throughout history has bad history and what annoys me the most is that people will make out Britain are the evil ones as if they were the only ones that were evil. It's pathetic and not acceptable.

[@DonaldMellor]

The demographic composition of the British population significantly contributes to the complex relationship that many individuals have with their own history. Various groups within the country may hold differing perspectives based on their backgrounds, experiences and cultural narratives, which can lead to a sense of disillusionment or even resentment towards historical events and figures. Additionally, the educational system plays a crucial role in shaping these sentiments. Schools often emphasize certain negative aspects of England's past, such as colonialism, oppression or other controversial historical events, which can foster a critical view of national history among students. This combination of demographic influences and the content of educational curricula can create a landscape in which many British people struggle to reconcile their national identity with the darker chapters of their history. I take immense pride in my country, and that pride is unwavering, regardless of the opinions others may express. My commitment to this nation is deeply rooted in my experiences, particularly during the years I dedicated to serving in the army. This service has shaped my perspective and strengthened my resolve to stand by my nation through thick and thin. Every moment spent in uniform has reinforced my belief in the values we uphold and the sacrifices made by countless individuals for the greater good. No matter the challenges we face or the criticisms that come from outside, my loyalty and affection for my country will remain steadfast.

[@marywebber593]

Beautifully expressed and written thank you. I have also always thought that the British ‘Class System ‘ has a lot to do with our tendency to self hate, which the ‘Elites ‘ have used to push the Country towards the left through the education system, when parts of society think they are superior either financially or intellectually there has to be an under class to prove their worth.

[@roboi2241]

Whatever this country did in the past, certainly overseas wasn't instigated by ordinary common people, it was instigated by people in high places with levels of avarice few people just trying to survive on their own patch of land could even imagine. The same hierarchical level of people have achieved most of their global goals now so pass the burden of the guilt of their antecedents who conceived so many rotten inhuman things onto the common people of today, still trying to survive on their own patch of civic land. Not only do they pass that burden of guilt and recrimination down the hierarchical chain, they sponsor and finance all the mischief and history shaming that goes with it and if looked at closely reveals itself to be equally lucrative and satisfying to the avarice that motivated their antecedents

[@StevenSmith-x8g]

The real question isn't if we make mistakes...its when we do ..do we have the capacity to realize it...learn from them and not make that mistake again...with great power comes great responsibilities...and greed..is a major human failing that we all must somehow keep in check...and we are not doing very well

[@ralphbernhard1757]

Cooperation between human systems is by nature chaotic, because human nature is complex but at least somewhat predictable. When the dividers came to Britain with the Roman Empire, it did not matter to the dividers _why_ some local Brits cooperated with the empire, to divide and overpower or destroy the local systems of power, or how divided Brits already were before Rome arrived, which local Brit collaborator got what and how much for cooperation with the empire: what *is* important, is _that_ enough cooperated for Rome to overpower Britain. POWERS have always done it. "Divide" the opposition any way possible. If you have trouble imagining how "division" works, then imagine a wall from which single bricks are extracted one after the other, by POWER or allure (usually money), until the wall gets fragile or even collapses. *The group that can divide all others groups, and avoid them from uniting into larger entities, will rule over all the others.* It is not complicated, never mind what any dissenters wish to inform you of, or all that so-called news filling your screen with 99% ancillary details every day. Formula in any divide-and-rule strategy, carried out as premeditated aim or instinctively, and regardless of the tier of power. *Maximum unity for "us" (ingroup doing the division).* *Maximum division for all others (outgroups to be divided for gain).* _For the American Century after the year 1900, Europe was simply a slightly larger chunk of land than Britain was for Rome around the year "0": the technique used was the same._ For the "divider" the multitude of reasons, motivations, ideologies, justifications, opinions, excuses, or the interests of those who cooperate in order to achieve the useful division *for* the higher power, are not important. When the dividers came to Europe with the fledgling American Century, it did not matter to the dividers _why_ some local Europeans cooperated with the empire, to divide and overpower or destroy the local systems of power, or how divided Europeans already were before Washington DC appeared on scene in ever-increasing perpetuity after 1900, which local European collaborator got what and how much for cooperation with the empire: what *is* important, is _that_ enough cooperated for Washington DC to subject Europe. These are the 99% ancillary details of history. It doesn't matter _how_ division is implemented, or _how_ existing divides are deepened, or who aids for whatever reasons, or whether those aiding and abetting division are even aware _that_ they are aiding division: what matters *is* _that_ it is implemented. For the divider it is not important _why_ the tools cooperate, but the fact _that_ the tools cooperate in creating division in overpowering a chunk of the planet somewhere. _Why_ and _that_ are different premises... *The empire in search of systemic expansion does not care about the **_"why"._* The trick is that the mass media, and our leaders advocating the spread of their ideology, have deceived you into thinking _"territorial expansion = bad",_ whilst at the same time, the same people who "point fingers" (aka the "blame game") cheer for systemic expansion. *Both are cycles of lies leading to wars, and wars leading to lies, and then lies leading to wars again.*

[@TheOtherKine]

Wut? It's not as SIMPLE as that! You're forgetting religion - Christians are STILL fighting, as are the Jews, and Islam since that came into being. You're way too simplistic - forgetting the Holy Roman Empire, Ghenghis Kahn, and then the Ottomans (who had the bigger influence leading to WW1 with their Empire that ended up inadvertently creating the Arab League)........ the "Americans" think they had the involvement but in the end, if the Americans hadn't had the connection to Europe (the rich, the bankers, the resource holders), America probably SHOULD not have got involved in anything in the 20th century outside of North America, and imagine what the world would have been like then!!!! You're way too philosophical and not practical at all about movement of people in Europe and their long history of wars

[@MatthewSmith-j1l]

The problem is that people don't understand who we've been occupied by.

[@tzazosghost8256]

Pride seems a flawed emotion to possess in reference to one's states history or the history of one's nation. Gratitude, reverence, indebtedness, awe, and wonder. These seem much more appropriate.

[@garypowell1540]

All is well that ends well, and this country is not ending well. This is the main reason why the British people are less proud of their history then at any time, their confidence in their future is shot to shreds. What do they have to look forward too, indeed I would argue that most people have very little to look forward too. Back in the day people had reason to believe that new technologies would further enhance their lives, lead to much shorter working weeks and a healthy life leading well into their 90s. However what we have found it virtually no real change for the better at all and many of these technologies being turned against us. We now have no reason to believe that this trend will not continue until we have virtually no control over our lives whatsoever and will not even dare to complain about the fact. Some may conclude that far from living until our 90s at some time euthanasia will be introduced as our birth rates have plummeted to existential levels. Far from our past shielding us from the murderous ravages of 3rd world poverty or the murderous control freakery of 2nd world Communism we find our self importing the former and copying the latter. There is a deepening realisation that this world is run by people who do not and never have had our interests at heart and this can never be a positive thing even if it it were not so. The problem is that it is the case and this clear fact only makes our short and deliberately shortened lives even more depressing as we rightly see no hope for our children and grandchildren. This is how we may curse our own mothers when we are having a particularly bad time of things. As well or instead of cursing our mothers we curse past generations and their despotic governments for bringing us to this nightmare of a place.

[@themysteriousdomainmoviepalace]

That's why we go to antiques shops and travel to Europe---to experience conituity with our ancestors and the past.

[@taybak8446]

Peter Hitchens, despite is questionable Marxist past, is a beacon of strength and font of wisdom for us conservatives. I'm from East Asia and have much respect and sympathy for him. It'll be a tremendous loss when he's gone.

[@trevorfuller1078]

Although it took a generation or two for its reality to become apparent, religion (The Great War, 1914-1918: when over its brutal duration, Christianity also became its greatest, unwitting, hapless, & collaterally-damaged wartime casualty!) in Britain was also ruefully crucified along with its fallen, disabled & wounded soldiers, at the Somme, at Ypres, & throughout & in the aftermath of all the bloody battles of 1918!! The flame 🔥of humanity & hope for Britain’s continued future well-being & prosperity, tragically died there then too, along with the Empire & Britain’s wellspring of its wealth & power generation!!

[@dave3gan]

Its just that people dont have the same attitude to conquest as they used to

[@eccehomer8182]

“God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives: who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it?”

[@briancox9357]

The idea that we are obliged to be either proud or ashamed of things that happened before we were born is absurd. The idea that the level of pride or shame is dependent upon our race or skin colour, is even more stupid.

[@tohellorbarbados4902]

This is genuinely hilarious. Hitchens has a perverted sense of postwar British culture. He's an utter ignoramus.

[@paulrath7764]

in the 1960s, tradition, authority and Christianity disintegrated all over the West.

[@RegEdmunds]

Is part of the attitude change to do with the internet, and sites like KZbin? Nowadays we 'know' or believe that we 'know' more than we did in the past, and the people who want us to be proud can't control the information anymore.

[@ABO-Destiny]

Wise people keeps away from sticking to history, historically britain itself had suffered from such ills. However my concern is not with sticking to history and not moving forward or the other way round , my concern is how people around the world mostly from former colonies and even those who had absolutely no connection to the colonies just uses popular narratives to twist facts, to suit their personal and/or collective needs and uses colonial history or at least a portion of it to get leverage in present world.

[@hiberniancaveman8970]

In 1943 Spike Jones gave us a song *Der Fuehrer’s Face* which began: Ven der Fuehrer says ve is der Master Race, zen ve Heil! Heil! Right in der Fuehrer’s Face … (available on KZbin.) But now for us it’s a case of … When our leaders says we is the Monster Race …

[@Sean-p3o]

The proposal is people throughout history have written history for agendas They have cherry picked

[@davidmiller4078]

I remember watch the bbc series The Great War which Peter mentions i was about 12 and had comics and books sbout the WW2 and saw the war films like Guns of Navarone and Ice cold in Alex etc but knew nothing about WW1 it probally kick started my interest in not just military history but also socisl history leading to to politicsl history Our so called political tepresentatives are a weak trechourous bunch of islamo marxists who seem to think they are important enough to betray our secular yet Christian heritage democratic freedoms to a 7th century bandit organisation ? Unbelievable ! Sadly its not going to end well for any one and it could of all been so easily prevented ! We have been warned by many for centuries

[@blafonovision4342]

American here. I’m totally ashamed of the USA’s involvement in WWI, WWII, and the Cold War. It was all a very bad mistake.

[@blafonovision4342]

We should never have involved ourselves.

[@colincomber8027]

The Opium War - nuff said

[@markmewordz6860]

Let him whom is without sin ... FFS

[@waynenash6008]

The British didn't establish the opium trade with china,, it was already up and running before Britain became involved and was indeed a legal substance at the time,, and while it was nothing to be proud off, it seems strange to beat ourselves up over something because of a modern moralistic code,which empire was instrumental in giving us

[@user-xy1dw1pe1d]

Do you think the working class Brits were behind that? Or was it the 1% (the same 1% who despise the working class to this day)? Do you know about the Islamic slave trade (still going on in Libya today). Do you know about the caste system in India? Do you know what the Maoris did to the natives of NZ when they arrived there? Do you know who had a history of taking their fellow blacks as slaves, which was something the Atlantic slave trade then capitalized on?

[@welshskies]

I was proud of Britain, I have studied our history and I have served in our armed forces, but following Brexit and the surge of xenophobia which has followed I now see my country as an embarrassment.

[@floro7687]

What about the War in Iraq, started on blatant lies?

[@Pattern-Recognition]

"Peak wokism" is in. Things will get better.

[@Bernd-m2o]

Instead of living in the past brits should embrace the future.

[@geertdecoster5301]

Perhaps in the past there was less restrain? Today historians bring credible argument how empire for one wasn't a solely English thing. More Celtic origin soldiers died in that process than English, etc.

[@versioncity1]

I haven't come across parody done this well in a while. Does this Hitchens bloke do stand-up?

[@ashleytidd-w9i]

WANK !

[@WILLIAM1690WALES]

Be careful when you use the word British, British is the UK, not just some research you’re done in London area doing a survey and a poll? 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧

[@michealmackintosh4502]

Sorry but all of this is typical,expected, and to be found in Spengler.Genuinly ca nt see.why you are all shocked.

[@garrybuckley1503]

terrible,thank you

[@natmanprime4295]

yes except that christianity was dealt the fatal blow by SCIENCE. thats peter's blind spot.

[@pkingpumpkin]

What fatal blow might that be? I am yet to hear a good aegument against it

[@natmanprime4295]

@@pkingpumpkin evidence lol

[@moeszyslak7304]

​@pkingpumpkin the enlightenment and industrial revolution

[@tenbear5]

ridiculous argument.

[@natmanprime4295]

@@tenbear5 the concept of evidence is ridiculous? lol spot the faith based nut

[@darylwilliams7883]

As a Canadian of indigenous ancestry, I have NO problem understanding why the Brits might not be terribly proud of their history. The blankets covered with smallpox were a nice touch.... Saved you folks a LOT of bullets.

[@Greenielid]

Exactly ! Innovative!

[@markmewordz6860]

I retain a considerable doubt, my friend, as to whether you might have fared better under the French ;]

[@user-xy1dw1pe1d]

@@markmewordz6860 or under Islam.

[@darylwilliams7883]

@@markmewordz6860 They had a better relationship with the indigenous peoples than the British did. So we will never know.

[@tio9896]

Comments blaming immigrants but I can only remember white brits being responsible for the very popular horrible histories books and later tv series. 🤔

[@microfarming8583]

Peter is not a man of principles and as such cannot be trusted to commentate on any topic. Lightweight

[@jamesjennings9907]

Proud/boastful Boastful/Proud ?

[@ginzo666]

You shouldn't be proud of being colonizers. Duh.