1 Becoming British

Introduction

In the early eighteenth century 'Britain' became the name of a nation. The Act of Union, between
England and Scotland, invented Britain in 1707. When Ireland was added the name changed to the
United Kingdom and, in 1921, the division of Ireland made the name change to the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Linda Colley says the new invention became firmly established by the time Victoria came to the throne.
"She argues that conflict with France was perhaps the most significant factor in the formation of British
self-identity".

"Conflict with France allowed a version of Britishness to be superimposed over a range of internal
differences". This means that it made people support the awareness of nation and "encouraged a
certain overshadowing of internal differences, especially those of social class". But the building of the
British Empire in North America, Africa, India and Australia was much more important to the production
of a shared sense of Britishness.

Traditionally, national identity equals something coherent and fixed, but identities are about 'where we
are going' too, and not just about 'who we think we are' and 'where we think we came from'. Nations
are invented several times: "invention is always followed by reinvention". The way all modern nations
manage their identities is similar to the way brands are managed by companies.

"Hugh Gaitskell claimed that entry into the European Economic Union would mean 'the end of Britain as
an independent nation state". In 1992, John Major stated that Britain could not be bullied and in 1994
that the British nation "is the cherished creation of generations".