little Englander

I'm waiting for the link from a poster who likes to use the expresion.

Sorry, what does your second paragraph mean? Are you missing a word or two?

Thank you Anya .

I wish those who accuse those of sometimes referring to Little Englanders stop calling them racists, bigots, anti English etc.

Wales is a small country but we pay the same tax, obey the same laws as England , have the same head of state. We don't pay the same tax total , England has a population of over 53,000,000. Ŵales just over 3,000,000, we are told we are given our money by the English

And whilst I am at it , we cannot build in the wide open spaces, they are either farms, national parks or mountains , who want's to live on Snowden or the Brecon Beacons , would give popping up to the shops a new meaning

Thanks merlotgran. I always thought that they meant "little Englander not little Englander if you see what I mean.

Granny23. That is what I was sort of thinking and wondering. It has to do with history.

I understand your third paragraph.

Ths UK is four countries not one with a few bits stuck on

Spot on Annie

Well said Granny23 - that sums it up neatly.

Not that old chestnut

Racists are very easy to recognise - usually because they start the conversation by saying 'I'm not a racist but.....'

When people are losing the argument re in or out, little Englander, racist, they say because they do not agree with your views on EU immigration, perhaps that makes them bigots.

Granny23, I luvs you . I have tried so many times to explain but every time am shouted down . I am not anti English but I do get fed up , every Commonwealth games I am constantly on the telephone to the BBC about their sports commentators . I accept Americans etc think Wales is a county in England , bless them , but some English seem to think the same . The UK is four countries not one with a few bits stuck on

'Little' has often been used in a sniffy way.

'She's a nice little person means she's harmless but nothing much between her ears.

'She's a good little driver means she can just about make it into town providing she doesn't have to turn right!

Little Englanders are looked down on in a similar way.

But they will be everyone's equal when their votes are counted.

I know I am simplifying here but perhaps different attitudes in the four home countries stem from different histories? England was subjected to or threatened with invasion by the Romans, Spanish, French (many times) whereas for Scotland, Wales and Ireland the 'Auld Enemy' was always England.

The first and second WWs certainly had a unifying effect because we were all under threat together but as these wars are now, for the majority, simply part of history, old enmities (eg England/France) and alliances (eg Scotland/France) have resurfaced.

Also do English People realise how much it annoys people in the other Home Countries when constant reference is made to 'the Queen of England' or '3 future Kings of England' or the particularly galling, in a WW commemoration 'When England stood alone against the Nazi threat' - presumably the Jocks, Taffys and Paddys were safely tucked up in their beds at the time.

They can, and do, obione but being reserved by nature, do it quietly usually.

I agree with sunseeker, Cheerytree59, rosesarered.

It is ok to be patriotic but not too patriotic. Is that the right idea?

Can I also ask, can Englanders have and feel the same level of patriotism that other countries in Great Britain have?

To call those who intend to vote out as little englanders is daft, I know some Welsh people who are thinking of voting out

I do think some English voting out are little englanders , not all

Anya - at present I am inclined towards voting OUT - this is for many reasons and nothing to do with the little Englander mindset I can assure you.

However, I do take your point and this has been one of my arguments against the whole idea of the referendum from the beginning. There will be those who will vote out for atavistic reasons rather than thinking through what it might mean for us all.

Thank you Jingle, but it was in the Spectator ! It was the arrogance that angered me, dismissing the American born president of America as being half Kenyan hung up on on old colonialism . I think it's Boris who is clinging to old colonialism

(That was to ab about Boris)

interesting take on it here

cherry You'll get used to the occasional derogatory pops taken at American on GN. Heavens, one would think they are all like Trump!

Yes! I can't believe he said that.

Boris Johnson gave a perfect example of a little Englander when he described Obama has half Kenyan

I meant geographically closer to USA and Alaska

I am first a scot and proud
Most of family are English and live in England. Of which I am proud
I have cousins and friends in spain Australia and the USA all of wish I visit
My Parents lived in South Africa so I have ties there also.
I am British and proud.
As are all the people I have mentioned Proud of their nation.

Some on GN are quick to criticise anyone who uses 'Americanisims'
This upsets me as I have American family. But I dont call them little Englanders!
How many of the European voters would be voting to become part of the United States if we were in fact closer to the USA or Alaska.
IMO they would be saying 'we are not Americans!'

Absolutely Roses, that was my point.

Trisher the EDL make me feel physically sick- and have you ever heard the kind of answers they give when interviewed???

When I see the EDL demonstrating and calling out for the deportation of all immigrants and refugees I know exactly what a 'Little Englander' is. I have disagreed with many on GN but I don't think there have been any posts that have been so extreme. The EDL makes me ashamed and embarrassed and anxious to assure those targeted who hear the outbursts that we are not all like them.