Who is considered British?

As a foreigner and of ethnic minority in the United Kingdom,i have been following politics and international relations with intend.When Nick Griffin, appeared on the BBC question time show to mitigate reasons for hating Islam as an ideology,Gay and lesbian dispensation,and immigration flaws,i kept vigil for a reason.After the proverbial show,i researched on what Griffin calls Britishness and noted that Britishness is quite fluid.

The concept of Britishness is much contested.In physical, political terms, ‘Britishness’ relates to the borders of living within the archipelago islands of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, in so far as you live in Britain. Yet when people talk about ‘being British’ what do they mean? Are there physical attributes ascribed to being British? Are there characteristics particular to the British, or is it based on history, language and culture?
Are these attributes fixed, or have they, and do they change over time?

The formation of ‘Great Britain’ was established in the Act of Union of 1770 bringing together Scotland with Wales and England and later to include Ireland. The standardizing of the English language had begun in the early fifteenth century, with the aid of the printing press and religion, forging together all regions, aiding communication.

With the formation of the archipelagos, Great Britain, under the rule of a monarchy, established a strong standing and naval army that laid claim to much of the world. The Empire provided mutually beneficial gains for all territories of Britain, and allowed a sense of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ to be fostered, helping create a British identity, ‘For many British people over a very long period possession of an empire has been an essential part of their sense of Britishness.To be ‘British’ during these times meant to be a citizen of a strong, powerful country, superior to the areas it dominated.

Although participation came from all regions, England, who housed both parliament and the monarchy, was more dominant, and traditional Britishness was, ‘more closely aligned with Englishness’. Although it took years, Britishness was established by a strong monarchy, increased communication and travel that enhanced ‘differences’ and superiority of Britishness.

Since the breakup of the British Empire, two catastrophic world wars and new technologies, Britishness is in crisis because there is a dilemma of identity. No longer do the empire and the sense of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ prevail and the monarchy no longer holds power to dictate and unify the country through religion due to secularization.

Nationalism in the regions of Britain has also become more pronounced, with the Republic of Ireland declaring independence in 1921 and the devolution of power to the Welsh and Scottish assemblies.

Immigration has increased dramatically since World War 2, the independence of colonial countries and the unification of the European Union.A person can be both Scottish and British.No person needs to claim to just one identity, they can change through time and circumstance.

Britishness is at its best in sport behind Team GB in the Olympics, and Andy Murray in the Wimbledon tournament. The same can be attributed to television; ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ saw a diverse and mix of people claiming their allegiance to being ‘British’ .
Therefore the country is increasingly changing, Britishness has encompassed the diversity of its inhabitants.

So where does Mr Griffin and his accomplices stand with Britishness?