People, Power and Politics

I would like to offer the following 10 British Values for the debate on Britishness.

The Value of British Law
Nobody is above The Law. The Crown is the unifying influence over all devolved regions. The Crown is to be the Defender of Faiths (plural). Divine Law is none other than the law of nature; all other religious laws are man made.

The Value of Representative Democracy
There should be engagement with all sectors of population. The House of Lords should be independent of House of Commons in every aspect, in both statute and operations. Any constitution should be predominantly secular yet inclusive of faiths. The House of Commons should be the ultimate authority. The European Parliament serves as a check on House of Commons; also has the effect of minimising vote bank politics.

The Value of Freedom of Speech
One of the highest ideals, providing the cause is selfless. Journalistic freedom is essential for both ‘old’ and ‘new’ media. The media has a responsibility to treat all Britons fairly, whatever their faith, creed, culture, colour, nationality, and whatever their family, social, financial or other status.

The Value of ‘True and Fair’ Ethics
A composite concept of ‘True and Fair’ (as opposed to either operating independently) should be the test of a British ethical or value system. True and Fair ethics should consider future consequences. True and Fair ethics encompass future consequences as well as the here and now.

The Value of Enterprise and Beautification
Enterprise must continue to be encouraged by parliament. Wealth earning is a value. Arts, sports and culture are valuable. Scientific innovation and research are valuable.

The Value of Security
All British citizens have the right to be secure and may strive to do well. They have the right to education and apprenticeships. National security is to be protected.

The Value of the Self Regulatory Market
Free markets need a regulatory regime. The ideal regulatory regime is one which is self regulatory with sufficient independence but working to the parliamentary laws.

The Value of Interdependence of Life
Individual liberty is of the utmost importance but within that all individuals have a responsibility to their family, to their local and national community, and to national security. Individuals also have a responsibility to care for ecology and not to act in ways damaging to our planet – all life is sacred. We all have a responsibility to care for the vulnerable and protect the weak [NHS is a great British institution].

The Value of Unity in Diversity
There should be respect for belief and for non-belief. There should be religious freedom of worship and religious dress provided such worship or dress does not reasonably interfere with each person’s duty to the other. A pluralist approach to multi faith education will help new generations to see that spirituality and/or ‘truth’ in religions is not mutually exclusive. Morality is universal, not the sole preserve of religions, which however do serve to remind us of it. Traditions should be respected, but there is no place in British society for dogmatic, prejudiced or superstitious traditionalism.

The Value of Equality and Human Rights
All Britons stand equal in the eyes of the Law. All have equal opportunities who subscribe to and practice British Values as independently verified by the European Court of Human Rights.

Whilst the feeling of being English or Scottish or Welsh or Jew or Hindu or Muslim can be taken for granted, the feeling of Britishness needs to be re-launched as an over-arching identity in which people will begin to assume a greater national pride. Britishness has to be “big enough” to allow a Jew to respect his ancestral home in Israel, or for a Hindu to foster his spiritual link with India, or a Muslim to be emotional about his “Islamic brotherhood.” But all are rightfully expected to sign up to all of our British values and work towards building the Britishness we equally own.

Anil Bhanot is the General Secretary of Hindu Council UK.