How Britain Ends
English Nationalism and the Rebirth of Four Nations
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How Britain Ends
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Narrated by:
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Robin Laing
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By:
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Gavin Esler
About this listen
A thoughtful, articulate and important book about the rise of English nationalism and the impending breakup of the United Kingdom from one of the finest BBC journalists of the last 20 years.
How Britain Ends is a book about history, but also about the strange, complicated identity of Britishness. In the past, it was possible to live with delightful confusion: one could be English, or British, Scottish or Irish and a citizen/subject of the United Kingdom (or Great Britain). For years that state has been what Gavin Esler calls a 'secret federation', but without the explicit federal arrangements that allow Germany or the USA to survive.
Now the archaic state, which doesn't have a written constitution, is coming under terrible strain. The English revolt against Europe is also a revolt against the awkward squads of the Scottish and Irish, and most English conservatives would be happy to get rid of Northern Ireland and Scotland as the price of getting Brexit done. If no productive trade deal with the EU can be agreed, the pressures to declare Scottish independence and to push for a border poll that would unite Ireland will be irresistible.
Can England and Wales find a way of dealing with the state's new place in the world? What constitutional, federal arrangements might prevent the disintegration of the British state, which has survived in its present form for 400 years?
©2021 Gavin Esler (P)2021 Head of ZeusListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about How Britain Ends
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Roger D.
- 09-10-21
recommended - with one caveat
A very good summary of the current situation and potentially very enlightening to anyone who hasn't been paying attention. I have one objection. Gavin has to suggest a federal solution but makes no mention of the fact that for such a solution to be implemented the people of England would have to vote first for a government to suggest it and then yes in a referendum to confirm it. This will "never" happen. Here in October 2021 motions on PR have just been voted down at the Labour conference. Not only do Labour look at least a decade from power they don't even support the key policies needed. I suggest Gavin moves back to Edinburgh so he can vote in the up coming Indy ref!
(For the record I write this from my home in Edinburgh. I was born British in the great city of Bristol but have been in Scotland nearly 30 years. I never really considered myself English but strangely friends and family South of the border have become English, or more explicitly English, in my absence. I now consider myself Scottish first then a disenfranchised European. Britishness is long gone. )
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 04-07-21
An interesting read....
As other journalists frequently do, Mr. Esler is more than happy to “cherry pick” and his personal biases are very thinly disguised often with a notable lack of supporting evidence. You would be wise to keep your favourite “go to” fact-checker, close at hand… Having said that, this is an extremely well written, most enjoyable, very informative, and often quite humours read and for these reasons, I can highly recommend this book. Narrated by Robin Laing who should seriously stick to just the one accent ...preferably his own...
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- julian stubbs
- 30-04-23
Good read
This book maps the unfortunate demise of Great Britain, through a mix of its own bloated self importance and short memory as to how poor the standards in the country were prior to joining the EU.
Britain could very well ‘end’ by its own doing. A good read.
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-06-24
Excellent history, beautiful reading, compelling should be heard by all.
I enjoyed everything. It was absorbing, compulsive reading. If more people had this level of knowledge and understanding there would be less division in the UK.
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- Jan Wammen
- 02-10-21
The Challenge of English Nationalism
The book gives an interesting analysis of the post-Brexit situation in Britain where the UK is under pressure from not only Scottish and Irish nationalism but also English. The solution is a kind or federal constitution if it is not too late. As a Dane I share the Author’s regret that Britain has left the EU.
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1 person found this helpful
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- H Newsam
- 07-04-21
Should the U.K. continue?
Brexit and the CV-19 pandemic has had many consequences. One of which is the possible break up of our country. This book looks at why this might happen. It really gets into the past relationship of the 4 nations of the U.K. it offers a more federal way forward which builds in what is already happening and in particular looks at English nationalism which is at the root of much of what is happening today. An important book, one which will be referred to in the future.
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- Philip Smith
- 08-03-21
Enjoyable and thought-provoking
A well written book with a cogent argument. The narration is excellent also. Highly recommended!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Ron
- 07-07-22
well argued and we'll read.
Well researched as you would expect from a good journalist Gavin lays out his arguments logically and engagingly, and it is well narrated by Robin Laing.
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- Kitty
- 26-05-22
Illuminating
A very illuminating and interesting read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was very well presented with lots of interesting facts and outlooks
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- rokosovsky
- 27-04-21
Superb analysis
A superb analysis but probably too late to avert the inevitable break up of the UK. The brexit vote has cast competing nationalisms into stark relief and this book charts the path through history to this inevitable outcome with wit and a lightness of touch which kept me coming back to it. While it thoroughly eviscerates the current UK governmental model it also provides well thought out solutions and ideas of how to go forward. Well worth a credit.
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