"British" is a construct, yes.
But it's a construct that refers to England and Scotland. The British parliament might be in Westminster, but it's largely run by Scots. The Armed Forces might be based on the English army, but its hardest units are mostly comprised of Scots.

The English don't even know what being English means anymore, but we're not referring to it when we talk about being British. To us it's a partnership. That's what I think, anyway.

I call myself English, by the way, although I am British in the most basic possible meaning. An amalgam of English and Scottish blood.

Yeah, I'm a Unionist, so what.
( Kroney, Mon 2 Jul 2012, 15:04, 1 reply, 13 years ago)

You have no problem with describing yourself as English and as British.
I have no beef with that at all, but the two are distinct things.

I, on the other hand, describe myself as Scottish, not British. This works a treat when I am in Holland, Italy, France etc.
(dozers, do fuck off ur a nob m8, Mon 2 Jul 2012, 15:07, Reply)

Ah, I think I get where you're coming from.
It's a shame there's so much negativity ascribed to being "English" as there's no reason why there has to be any animosity about it anymore.
( Kroney, Mon 2 Jul 2012, 15:12, Reply)