If I may be allowed, I'll post this in a few categories around the site to try and gain a consensus on expats' standpoint on the modern England. I know people move from the England for various reasons - job, family etc - but do you still care what is happening in England or is it a case of 'I'm alright Jack'? and 'Out of sight, out of mind'? The old country is getting strangled with red tape, overburdened with immigration, political correctness and oppressive legislation. Tradition and national identity is being sacrificed at the altar of corporate greed, malignant capitalism and Nanny-State removal of risk, choice and freedom. The country and its citizens are being processed into sterile conformity and obeyance. The question is - Does anyone care?

A Whitby Diary

You're a little early to be gunning for "BE's most popular" in the end of year poll, aren't you?

I still care, but only because I have to listen to the rantings of many friends back home!

Frankly I'm staggered at how accepting the traditionally-bolshey British public has become of the radical changes to government and society. True, a lot of people still do a lot of complaining, but I'm surprised to see so little concrete action like protests or more drastic electoral change. That's why I'm watching with interest the mayoral campaign in London. Will it be more of the same (red tape and political correctness IMO) or a call for change, however many unknowns that'll bring?

Not everyone is complaining, however. I have a few left-leaning friends who love the UK and everything happening there. I also have many friends who have no real opinion (the take it lying down brigade). But every time I go back (which is several times a year) or read about the latest government freedom grab I cringe, and every time I drive I get very tempted to smash a speed camera with a hammer!

Part of the problem, IMO, is that the media in the UK has withered over the last decade. The BBC has been gutted on the alter of commercialism and politics and many newspaper newsrooms have also been gutted, resulting in very American over-hyping of non-stories. Don't get me wrong, I still think British journalism is among the best in the world, but it seems to be increasingly watered down and less capable of providing the all-important check on runaway government power.

closed, because of multiple threads posted.