Reflections on Family and National Identity

Whatever its flaws, this country gave my dad a good

life.

And it has given his sons opportunities he didn't get for

himself.

He recognized that and was grateful for it, and

so proud

of what Nick, John, and I did with them.

If only,

if only he had been able to appreciate that moment

of the family in Downing Street.

The son of a man

who failed his 11-plus

becoming Prime Minister.

The fact it could even happen in this country would

not have been lost on him. He could have gone to

university himself.

But times were different then, so it wasn't an option.

But he voted every time, religiously,

for the Labour governments which changed education so his sons could

do that.

The United Kingdom my dad represented is the one I believe

in. A union of nations- ... that gave

trade unions and the cooperative movement to the

world. The National Health Service.

A country that stood up to fascism.

A country of solidarity, not

separation. That's the Britain that my dad

represented.