Asking the Welsh if they’re proud to be British
A video filmed in Cardiff which poses the question ‘are you proud to be British?’ has gone viral.
A film crew from entertainment platform joe.co.uk hit the streets of the Welsh capital to get people’s reactions to a question which is known to cause much debate.
And sure enough it did just that with those interviewed in the clip coming up with a wide range of responses – many linking Britishness with England, to others for whom being British feels natural.
Whether you’re Team Wales or Team GB, the question of whether you consider yourself to be Welsh or British has raged for years.
It’s long been a political hot potato and is always certain to provoke passionate debate.
When the video was posted on Joe’s Instagram account it certainly stirred up the emotions in the many responses the clip received.
Watch the video and let us know your thoughts and feelings.
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I have always believed that the true British people are descended from the Celts or Britons. Nothing whatsoever to do with the English. People need to remember that the English and England are a relatively recent addition here yet several believe that British means English. England did not exist. They came here in boats, quite similar to what is happening today. The history of the true British goes back thousands of years before we were invaded but little is mentioned about that!! We were/are only told about England’s history and their triumphs.
Only those embarrassed by their immigrant heritage conflate English with British.
Clywch clywch. Cultural appropriation of the highest order – the only way to justify their usurpery.
But most of the ancestry of the English is the native Britons. Romans Vikings and Normans just added hybrid vigour to the bloodline
Er, what about the Germanic invasion? Huge numbers of Angles, Saxons and Jutes arrived from Germania by small boat, either fleeing persecution on the continent or seeking economic opportunities, history isn’t clear which. But we do know they failed to integrate because their Germanic languages came to dominate this island. And we know it wasn’t a nice experience for the indigenous population because their arrival led to the barbarism of the dark ages which lasted until the Irish came and civilised them.
Frank, whilst I can agree with some of the sentiments being expressed on both sides of this discussion, it would be really helpful if you could have another look at Welsh / British / Saxon history before making statements that are blatantly incorrect. By the way – how do you think that the Celts arrived on our shores? Aeroplanes? Hovercraft? Or maybe Jetskis?
Which bit are you disagreeing with? The Collins dictionary defines “Briton” as “any of the early Celtic inhabitants of S Britain who were largely dispossessed by the Anglo-Saxon invaders after the 5th century”.
Welsh not British but us Welsh are Celts the TRUE BRITS in our history Welsh saxons are invaders the English have rewritten it and call themselves migrants i have English relatives in London and around the South east they all say they are English not British so thats why i say its the DISUNITED KINGDOM no point in dragging it on it should break its more so England want the U K to stay together i nearly got into a fight back in the day with my English relatives the normal Wales is a Principality not a country and we… Read more »
Instead of debating as to why so many don’t feel comfortable with being labelled as British why not we ask why? The problem is society still sees British as synonymous with English. There is no devolved English parliament, which means that the UK Government wears 2 hats as ‘the English Government’ as well. The UK anthem is also used as the English anthem. Flying the St Georges Cross is frowned upon by both the left and the right. Therefore when a government comes out with is policy of ‘muscular unionism’ it is very much seen as Englishness being imposed on… Read more »
Muscular Unionism was one of Boris Johnson’s most stupid ideas (which is saying something). It seems to have gone out when he did.
I was really proud to be European…
Probably:
1. Cymraeg
2. European
3. British
Since I had my European citizenship taken without my consent, I find myself feeling a lot less British too…
We had a vote on it. That’s as consensual as can be.you have no right to have everything your way.
Is consent given by majority decision now? I think you mean valid. Agreed, the vote was valid. We may one day have a vote on Britishness, or Welshness, in the same way. The decision will be equally as valid, but no more consensual on the individual basis. You may no longer be British, or no longer be Welsh. Identity is complex, if others decide it for us, that doesn’t sound consensual to me.
Fortunately we still are European, when Nigey duped the gullible brits with his last batch of nonsense, he didn’t attach outboard engines to the east coast and move us out of Europe.
I’m very comfortable with being Welsh and British. 100% and always have been. Perhaps living abroad for a few years gave the perspective of the value of being both. I would go further and tell you that I really do not like separatist thinking. I really don’t and know it lacks logic. I recognise the passion but we need to Chanel it into something constructive
I think the important thing is not to conflate British with English. I have an English friend who moved to Swansea and when I asked him how a felt about his daughter learning Welsh. He told me that as a British person he saw Welsh as part of his culture; our native language.
No definitely not, we are Welsh. The English try to stuff their agenda down our throats after invading our continent and brand us as British. But no, we are Welsh.
Strictly speaking “British” is a legacy term that should be retired. It’s use comes from “British Isles” which includes the island of Ireland so ceased to be appropriate when Ireland left the union.