I've created a monster with this thread. All I wanted was to reflect on our lack of musical identity. On the theme of patriotism I found this quote in the Independent that articulates how I feel better than any words I can muster...

"Englanders have many other qualities to admire – not, as Dennis Potter said, the imperial identity, or the flags, drums and trumpets, or 'billowing Union jacks and busby soldiers and the monarchy and pomp', but the bravery and steadfastness, the creativity and industriousness, the endless line of rebels with a cause, the respect for individuality and eccentricity, the institutions of democracy and law, and most of all the insatiable cultural promiscuity"

Some of the previous Guest contributions could easily have been penned by the great Henry Root. We'll not have that!