British Expatriate Network

Hey there,

Im an expat living in Australia and im becoming concerned of whats happening to what I call the "Greater British" cultural identity.

Somehow in the last, oh lets say 40 years, my status here has moved from being an Australian, to being a Brit. As if the two had become fundamentally different things overnight.

What happened to the concept of "We are British!"?. Has it been lost in search of Republicanism as per the American Colonies.

Is anyone else feeling these frustrations? That the Empire we built is being destroyed by itself for the sake of political correctness?
That our people. once united, mighty and proud are being turned into a new progressive model by teaching our kids nothing of the past and everything of native affairs and liberalism.

Does anyone else feel that our pride and self-respect is withering away?
Before when people asked me where my accent was from, I said Rhodesia, now I find myself using Zimbabwe and Australia more.

Cheers,

I would guess that yes, the Australians have been taking their own identity for some time and prefer not to be associated with Great Britain. As you say, the Americans did the same after the War of Independence so it is probably natural.

I'm not sure it has happened over night but certainly in recent times, the majority seem to be moving away from things like having the British Queen as their monarch. It must be hard for you, being in both worlds but I feel it is a natural progression since Australia is independent of Great Britain.

The Aussies naturally have a right to self determination, but I dont think ALL of them are on the Republican bandwagon just yet.

In the 90's republican referendum, over 72% of electorate voted to retain ties with the UK.
But the fact is that the pundits and far-left in the country have not respected this and have continued, if not, INCREASED, 'Republicanism by stealth' by reforming Education and public display of symbols to their needs.

Let them go, they deserve their own identity. And, 20,000,000 people on the other side of the world is not very significant these days. They are kind of doing a Cuba, the only real footprint is in sports.
I like how they try and throw weight around concerning New Zeeland.

Could this have anything to do with what you complain of.

http//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7204635.stm


It's been going on for years in one form or another.
I tend to think of it as pigeons coming home to roost.