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Good question... I think the idea of hope and glory more relevant than at first appears. England is full of hope, hope that things will improve (the transport system, education, healthcare), although these tend to be individual hopes, and I wonder whether we English have the inner drive and passion to make things change, rather than just talking about change. And there is glory to be found (the sleepy contemplation of the countryside, the mercifully mild summers, the dawn chorus of the birds), although again these take the form of a very personal, insular kind of glory.

Air Strip One? Yes, for the time being. As part of the United Kingdom, England is literally the stepping stone between the USA and Europe, and is a tactical political and geographical lodestone for both parties. Due to the USA being the most powerful country in the world, and England owing it a moral and monetary debt for World War II, England has continued to be in pawn to it's larger ally for the last 50+ years. And as the USA needs to stroke Europe and keep it onside, it naturally uses England's postition to do this.

What do you think?