The NHS beat both the monarchy and the Olympics to take gold in the patriotism stakes, as Ipsos-Mori’s polling for British Future’s new State of the Nation 2013 report shows.
The popularity of the armed forces as an icon of British pride among young people shows the value of seeing members of the military out and about in our regular lives.
The bigger picture suggests the Monarchy ended 2012 more secure than ever. Even when things went wrong, as the Thames river pageant turned into a grey and cold test of endurance in the driving rain, it was the BBC which seemed to cop the flak. The Queen’s surprise Olympic contribution to a James Bond stunt helped to seal Danny Boyle’s great fusion of the traditional and the modern in the Olympic opening ceremony, writes Sunder Katwala.
The spirit of 2012 challenged the core instincts of both left and right, argues Sunder Katwala. But will that optimistic sense of what is distinctive about Britain survive into 2013?
British Future’s Matthew Rhodes gave a speech in Dudley on International Migrants Day, at a Migrants Alive event run by the 5 Estates Plus Project. Read what he said.
Living in pretty north Wales might be idyllic appearance for some. But for the youth of the area there are many issues lying beneath the wondrous setting, writes Bryn Llywelyn Lewis.
Having declared himself a “One Nation” politician at his party conference last Autumn, Ed Miliband was bound to have to say in his speech today how he would promote integration, and common citizenship in a diverse society.
Jessica Ennis has been the face of Britain in 2012. She could stake a fair claim to be “the face of […]
Bringing the crucial work of the World Monuments Fund alive away from the actual buildings being restored is a difficult task. The Giving our Past a Future exhibition doesn’t quite manage it. Instead the hidden passages and untouched bookshelves of the Sir John Soane Museum were far more captivating, and well worth a look, writes Georgia Hussey.