Governance of Britain

To be British is to be aware of your history, but never held back by it. It is to be in a country that allows virtually every freedom, other than the freedom to starve.

To be British is to wake up each morning and celebrate the careful balance of order, structure and politeness that governs most of our lives on most occasions.

It needs protecting for there is always those that do not see it.

John Bird is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Big Issue.