Centre for Britain and Europe blog

All the latest British and European politics news.

Identity on the Rails

In their book ‘Understanding National Identity’ [1] Professors David McCrone and Frank Bechhofer explain that national identity can be best understood as the connecting ‘hinge’ between the system we exist within and our individual reactions to that system. Whilst the hinge does not determine our action it can in certain circumstances be the pivot around […]


Of Hustings, Polls and University Communities : Getting Engaged!

Professor Amelia Hadfield and Dr Alia Middleton : Co-Directors of the Centre for Britain and Europe (CBE) Election hustings have progressed somewhat from their origins as a platform in the centre of town where unpopular candidates ran the risk of being shouted down or pelted with vegetables. Yet they remain a great opportunity for local candidates […]


Uneasy Englishness?

In 2011 I travelled to the French alps with some fellow Brits. We began talking on the bus and this inevitably led to questions of where everyone was from. I said I was British and came from Southampton, at which point the remaining travellers revealed their own hometowns and national identities. In all; four were […]


‘Twas the week before the election…

As the smell of mulled wine and mince pies descends upon us, politicians of all creeds are scrambling to campaign for a pivotal Christmas election, the results of which could have dramatic consequences for future generations. Before we get too distracted by cheeseboards and re-runs of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, let us examine some of […]


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