The Day Britain Died

Post-imperial, post-colonial and now post-millennial, Britain is definitely not what it was. As a new century opens, even Scotland and Wales, not so very long ago indissoluble components of the "Inner Empire", are flexing their devolutionary muscles and looking about for new opportunities and relationships. The artificial nation-states of 19th century real-politik seem less and less viable in an age of blurred boundaries and regional alliances. What does this mean for the United Kingdom? What, ultimately, does it mean for England? Does the future lie with Europe or with the USA? Where do we turn? In The Day Britain Died political journalist (and expatriate Scot) Andrew Marr explores this unprecedented national identity crisis and offers a vision of a possible resolution.

It's a wide-ranging, incisively-written and often witty treatise. Marr wrote The Day Britain Died to accompany a television series, travelling the country to interview people at all points on the political and ideological spectrum, from romantic Little-Englander ruralists, to businessmen relishing their opportunities in the new global service industries, to Eurosceptics, to Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, to Green theorists and politicians. The views expressed on national identity and the future are varied, energetic and often surprising, but cannot disguise a sense that, in contrast to its neighbours, England as a nation is running on empty. Andrew Marr places this against the background of a subtle, considered discussion of the historical and political forces that shaped Britain and determined its relations with Europe, the USA and the rest of the world. He concludes with a powerfully-argued case for a revitalised British federation of interdependent states, backed up with a strong written constitution (and Alan Bennett as president--this may or may not be a joke). The issues this book raises are difficult and divisive, yet affect the lives of everyone living in the place still called Britain.--Robin Davidson

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Fascinating insights ... wrong conclusion! - Rated
The BBC's political editor has a playfully pointed and witty style which is the perfect antidote to another tome on whither-Britain. His incisive pen can slice through cant, decimate a non-sequitur and demolish misplaced patriot-bigotry at 20 paces. But Marr doesn't nihilistically evade authorial responsibility - and so in his final chapter propounds an alternative vision for Britain's post-devolution constitutional arrangements. Which is a shame, really, because he was doing so well until then. Like so many others he buys into the nationalist myth that the "Celtic fringe" have taken to demanding more democracy because of centuries' betrayal by the feckless English. In fact the growth of Scottish and Welsh nationalism perfectly mirrors the increasing disenchantment with tribal two-party politics evident throughout Britain, and apparent in England with the post-1960s' resurgence of the Liberal Party. "The people" are simply voting for whichever political party seems best placed to challenge the existing stale Tory-Labour duopoly: in Scotland that's the SNP; in Wales it's Plaid Cymru; in England the Lib-Dems. Which suggests to me that people want to see greater and more flexible regional democracy, not a myopic retreat to traditional national boundaries. Competing and (increasingly) nationalistic Scottish, Welsh and English Parliaments - the Marr solution also supported by William Hague - are only the answer if you ignore the real question: how best to advance the return of power to the people?

One of few " political commentary" page turners! - Rated
As an Australian, I was probably not part of the target audience for this book, but this did not stop me finding it fascinating. I am about to move to London and was looking for a book that gave me some idea about the country I was going to, its people and its politics. I got a very potted UK history, the best information I've thus far had on the logic behind the EU, an interesting perspective on Americanisation, some background on London, and some beautiful stories about British people. My favorite chapter was "The New British and the World" and I will never forget the pages about Mukheem Ahmed, the British Bangledeshi who remembers the public support that followed the 1999 Brick Lane nail bomb attack. This book could have been another dry treatise on the modern day mismatch between the aspirations of ordinary citizens and vote obsessed politicians, which seems to be worldwide, but it isn't. For someone who knew virtually nothing about modern Britain, this book was perfect. And yes, the reviewer below who said the book wasn't well edited is right. But, it's not that bad, and the content is so good that you barely notice! If you are at all interested in the political future of Britain, read this book!

A useful, if somewhat rushed contribution to a needed debate - Rated
Quick comment on the book. I did enjoy reading it and it did raise valid points...it has been a previously explored area, but Andrew Marr does refer to this in the book. I disagree...in implication that the book is unnecessary, instad I feel it is a sign of a growing debate that is needed about the contradictions between the populist Britian and the reality of Britain. My main problem with the book was two things - it did seem rushed in comparison to Paxman - perhaps the timing of the series with the Darcus Howe series on channel 4 (which needs a book) was more than a little coincidence. My second reservation was Marrs political comments at the end, whilst I support the sentiments found there, I felt that they were bolted on and too quick and cosmetic a conclusion - ironically an issue he and I agree on about New Labours spin-merchants. I call upon Andrew to write a 2nd edition with a bit more depth, more variety of reportage and considered solutions. Even better, team up with Darcus and produce a lively debate.

Some good points made... - Rated
I certainly cannot agree with the previous reviewer. Andrew Marr is indeed a Scot, but he is certainly no boneheaded nationlist who thinks that all the english are bullies and fascists. Furthermore he does not give any more space to one political extreme or the other. This well written polemic encompasses opinions from all sides. The difference between this book and other pieces currently on the market is that it is less concerned with a (somewhat pointless) navel gazing exercise as to who or what we are, rather than a look at what the future may hold for the british isles and what possible solutions there are to the genuine misgivings a lot of british people have with the current devolution agenda. This is backed up with some interesting and relevant background to the development of our nation as well as a well balanced and generous view of Englands position in the world. No point in giving too much away, but the his views are well worth taking on board and must be read by anyone even vaguely interested in this evolving debate

I felt the book was written by an extremist, for extremists - Rated
This book is not original. British cultural identity has been explored by Paxman, Hitchens and Bryson in print, and by Darkus Howe on television. Andrew Marr (a Scot) gives too much attention to extremist right wingers, as he seems to think they are more interesting, adding to the recent trend of credibilty given to those who still view politics in a realist, military way. This book will make too many people thing that Britain is a nation-state competing for balances of power, and not a complex, multi-cultural country, that now it has broken free from Tory rule, can look forward to a promising future thanks to local power for Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, London and possibly more cities, and the socio-economic benefits of being integrated into Europe. I hope this is the last book that perpetuates the myth of white English dominance due to "us" beating "them" in 1945.