Reasons to be proud - a take

Originally published @ 11:34 pm, Tue 1st Dec 2009

Travelling down to London - Dara O'Briain cites reasons why the English should be proud of England in Metro newspaper; "This country is massively successful - you're hosting the Olympics, you host the world's most illustrious golf tournament, tennis tournament and football league. You're one of the world's largest economies and a major player on the political stage. But you'd think from some people constantly saying how s***e the place has become that England has gone to the dogs. That's kind of frightening."

OK, it falls short of citing a list of the Labour government's greatest achievements - although Tony Blair did spend 3 days with delegates to persuade the Olympics organisers to choose London - but it's another counter to the mood of fear and pessimism driven by the media.