Everything - well nearly everything - is right in this country

How about getting back to the OP?
All countries have problems,( or people with problems) but I would rather have problems here than anywhere else.
There is just so much that is good about living in the UK, and I still thought that in the past, when I really was poor.

Frankly it used to be like that before the Welfare State, which both my parents voted for after the war and many of yours did too.

When the NHS began queues of people, mostly women, went to the doctor for the first time ever and often with a chronic problem which could easily have been fixed earlier if only they had seen a doctor. But ordinary working people could not afford doctors.
My DH 's grandmother died in childbirth.

We are lucky, and should be grateful for the unselfishness of our parents' generations who wanted things better for everyone not just for themselves.

Please can we hang on to these values a while longer and don't let them be consigned to memory

Having children.......

I was wondering whether or not to point out again that sometimes bad things happen to good people.

I only have one child so I am not talking about myself.

This thread has proved one thing - that however wonderful Britain is, there are always miserable beggars who prefer to moan.

If Britain was well night perfect, there would still be people complaining about something because it is in their nature

It's not in mine.
I'm a happy, contented person despite crystaltipps description, 100% accurate, of my lifestyle:

If you struggle with poor health, disability, low income, live in a run down high crime area....

Yep, all this and more - but I am not a natural whiner so it doesn't stop me appreciating what I have, who I am - and the many great things about Britain.

JenniferEccles, did you know that not every child is planned? Every contraceptive has a failure rate, after all. I suppose you'd say that poor people shouldn't have sex - just in case!

It’s not being a negative moaner to point out that not everyone is fortunate to live a comfortable lifestyle, that the UK is not the only country in the world with freedoms or lovely places, that not everything in everyone’s garden is rosy. We all like the things and places we are familiar with and comfortable with and where we can live peacefully. I’m sure if this thread was in France you’d get loads of gushing grandmeres saying how beautiful their country is and how it has the best weather, food etc that’s all perfectly understandable. The British aren’t superior to everyone else is my point.

I agree with all of the positives mentioned and a few of the negatives but as this is a thread about the positives here are mine. Mostly and within reason .
I’m free live as I want, to vote, read, listen and speak
Our changing seasons
The diversity of our culture.
Our historic buildings and history
Our sense of humour and wit
Tea..a lovely cup of tea.
I’m sure there’s more I could add but you’ve all mostly covered all the best things about living in the U.K
Lucky us

You are correct crystaltipps but this thread is about what's good about this country.
We could have one on another country.
We had a Canadian volunteer with us who was very proud of Canada. He told us so much we never knew.

As BradfordLass says there will always be moaners.

But the tone of many of the replies is that Britain is the “best” or the “only” place in the whole world which has these positives, which I think is rather a smug / superior way of thinking. We all like the familiar. Yes I like being able to vote and have running water but you’d have that in many other places if you’d happen to live there too.

I haven't seen anyone "whingeing" or "whining" about the physical characteristics of Britain. The majority of people, of all political persuasions, appreciate that Britain has the most interesting, diverse and beautiful landscape.

Neither are they decrying our beautiful buildings,our museums, churches, ,etc etc, or the fact that Britain is noted for its wry humour and ability to laugh at itself.

That is a totally separate issue from that of its current governance where it has been reported that Britain is one of the most unequal countries in Europe:

Guardian May 2019

"Rising inequality in Britain risks putting the country on the same path as the US to become one of the most unequal nations on earth, according to a Nobel-prize winning economist.

Sir Angus Deaton is leading a landmark review of inequality in the UK amid fears that the country is at a tipping point due to a decade of stagnant pay growth for British workers. The Institute for Fiscal Studies thinktank, which is working with Deaton on the study, said the British-born economist would “point to the risk of the UK following the US” which has extreme inequality levels in pay, wealth and health.

Speaking to the Guardian at the launch of the study, he said: “There’s a real question about whether democratic capitalism is working, when it’s only working for part of the population." "

In this country, the poor and struggling have been punished whereas those that caused the 2008 meltdown have been richly rewarded. There is absolutely no disputing that all our public services are struggling to keep their heads above water. Most people need access to an effective and adequately funded NHS, state education and justice systems, emergency services, etc,etc, together with affordable and secure housing. Some people can opt out and purchase these amenities separately, but they are the minority.

It must be time you were heavily taxed Opal. You must be one of the "few" who have suffered under the chaotic Conservatives. Lucky you. Such a shame we we read of people who are so narcissistic they have no empathy for anyone else though.

have haven't

Chaotic Conservatism followed by more Chaotic Conservatism. Why?

Just an aside. Is it possible for a regular poster on GN to open a second account using a different name?

I don’t know why anyone would want to do it so it puzzles me.

A poster on this thread seems to have a very similar style to a regular poster but the name doesn’t match!

It would be the same e Mail wouldn’t it Urmstongran so would be picked up if they tried to register again?
I am always intrigued to read stuff like this, and wonder who it is you suspect!

Urm
You can have different names if you join with different web servers. My H has two servers on the go because he changed servers but remained linked.
Just think. You could do the whole schitzo thing and have a row with yourself,

It's timeconsuming enough being one person on here, without ending up having an argument with yourself.

Boris did that, didn't he? When he was trying to decide whether being a leaver or a remainer was best for his career.

Well here's something to celebrate: the uk has won the world Karaoke championships. ???????

I love living in Europe and being able to easily visit France and enjoy its lovely food and wine ditto Italy with more medieval buildings than anywhere in the world.

What was the song. Meryl.

Ah thanks for the explanation jolnan I have been wondering how it would be done and had thought using another email address too would be the only way.

All the same, I can’t get my head around why someone would want to do it!

Takes all sorts I suppose.
?

Sorry (again) jolBROOK - that’s the second time in a few days I’ve called you ‘nan’.

P.s. I’m not trying to give you a second identity haha!

It would be the same e Mail wouldn’t it

I can have up to 5 email addresses with my current provider and another 5 with a company I used to be with. I do have two different ones that I use - one just for entering competitions etc, so I don't end up with a lot of unwanted spam.

But as for being two people on here - a) I can't see the point and b) I'd have tripped myself up on day 1.

Not to worry Urm. Unlike some on here, I have a sense of humour!

jolbook
The song was: And I'm telling you. Watch Sheridan Smiths version ( on YouTube) pure heartbreaking emotion.
The Karaoke version is very different.