Well Keith,

I don't have the detailed knowledge or the will to comment on the reasonable points you make but:

"The British Empire was less racist, cruel and exploitative than any other"

Really? A bit less, quite a bit, a lot less? No I don't know either

"Other empires gained independence through blood and fire. Ours with tea and ceremony. And we are all still friends."

Quite a few places fought to chuck us out. The mess that is Africa was created by European countries. We, and the others, left places behind with no sense of unity, little chance of economic development and. economies often in the hands of trans national companies.

What has this got to do with England my England?

I don't really know as many of us have been argiung:

1. Lots and lots of stuff happened some good some bad
2. None of it was the fault of our generation
3. Where is the sense in deciding to be proud of some bits and not others?

Cheers

L in C