Should the term "British" be forgotten because you are part of the EU? Brits are now Europeans & should be ca

Question

...and should be called as such. To call yourself Britsh now makes about as much sense as someone from North Dakota calling themselves North Dakotions.

People from North Dakota live in the United States of America and are called Americans.

People from Britain live in the European Union and should be called Europeans. It makes sense.

So what do Europeans of the UK think about this?

Answer 1

You seem a bit confused on both geography and current affairs my friend. The European Union is essentially a trading partnership between various sovereign states not unlike the trading agreement you have between the USA and Canada.

The USA has its own President George Bush who in your case is both Head of State and Head of government but he is neither Head of State nor Head of government of Canada nor Mexico nor Costa Rica etc. We have a Head of State who is the Queen and she is separate from our Head of Government who is Gordon Brown.

Likewise this nation is still called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and its Head of State is still Her majesty the Queen who is not Head of State of any country in Europe who each have their own Head of State and Head of government. The British Parliament comprising the House of Lords and Commons makes laws that apply to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This Parliament does not nor can not make laws that govern any other European countries any more than Laws made by the American President or Congress in Washington can make laws that apply to Canada, Mexico or the Republic of Panama . But we also have local government at County level and District or Borough level just like you do and somebody from Yorkshire may well call himself a Yorkshireman, but he will also call himself an Englishman and he may also call himself a Briton and a European.

Answer 2

Being surrounded by the sea makes a big difference. The English don't feel European because unlike other European people they cannot simply walk across a border into a country where the language & food are very different from their own. They only know they are expected to pay for something for which they see little or no purpose. Partly this is because they are too insular, but partly it is because of the arrogance of the EU institutions in believing they do not have to explain what they do or why they do it. Its perhaps a little different for the Scottish & Welsh but you'd have to ask them.

Answer 3

Actually you're completely wrong. America is a COUNTRY, North Dakota is not, Dakota is not. Britain is a number of countries. We don't call Canadian's Americans just because they live on the continent of America.

Someone really needs to teach you geography. How about you get rid of your own terms? Or give back the term football?

Besides i prefer to think of myself as English. Any immigrant can be British.

Answer 4

The tag is not important. British people are also Europeans whether or not there is the existence of the EU.

Unlike the Americans, Europe is not one country and should therefore not draw such comparative. Most importantly for us, each European country is a nation state and its people are proud to enjoy their separate identities, but would also come together to share and enjoy each others' cultures in a way that truly benefits all who are interested in seeing this happen.

Answer 5

Of course not. The EU is not a country, it's a community of several independent countries. The UK has been a member of the EU since 1973, and not only is the word British still in use, but also English, Scottish, Welsh etc.

Answer 6

Americans use to have pride in their state and some still do (Southern states, New Jersey, and Texas). To correct miniflur, the EU is trying to become a country just look at whats happening with the Treaty of Lisbon. But I don't see the problem with identifying yourself as British or Deutsch, your heritage should not be opressed by a government in my opinion.

Answer 7

Europe is only the continent (& trading bloc) that the UK is in. It doesn't mean that people are going to give up their sense of national identity and stop calling themselves British (or English,Scottish,Welsh or Northern Irish). The USA is in the continent of North America along with Mexico & Canada so all of you guys can call yourselves North Americans if you want to.
When it comes down to it, it doesn't matter where you're from, just where you're at!

Answer 8

Are you then suggesting that the French and Germans (to name two) are also called Europeans instead of French and German? It's bad enough that the English,Welsh,Scottish and Irish have already lost their individual identities in favour of British and now you suggest we lose the British Identity as well!

Answer 9

Ask a Texan if they prefer to be called a Texan or an American.

And as for "forgetting" the term "British" - No WAY!

I'm Welsh and British and proud. End of. I am no European
(except to Americans who think Europe is one big country!)

Answer 10

We already know we are European We always have been .Europe and the EU are totally separate issues Europe is the continent ,while the EU is a political union .The only way we could stop being European is by uprooting the island and planting it somewhere else in the world

Whats with the thumbs down .i can`t believe people on here don`t understand that the UK is Europe .unbelievable!!!!!!!
have you never looked at a map!!!!!