There is a perception that Britain has gone to the dogs. As an expat living in Spain this comes across very strongly on social media. Last week I was in London and I was concerned by claims made by Reform leader Nigel Farage that you couldn’t walk through central London at night without getting your mobile phone stolen. He is wrong. I still have my phone.
But taking all this into account, the daily diet of negativity about Britain does take hold and obviously it is rather sad. But for me all this changed on Tuesday night when I went aboard the visiting Royal Navy frigate, HMS Richmond.
Its crew, most of whom are under 25, have been away from home for five months, their ship has been in the gun and missile sights of the Chinese Navy and of course there is the constant threat of the Russians. But you wouldn’t have known it. The Richmond appears to be a “happy ship” and she does the Royal Navy and Britain proud.
I met some members of the crew who were very professional and proud of what they do for their country. They were also very pleasant and easy-going. Britain should be proud of them. If ever anyone feels depressed about the state of Britain remember there are thousands of young men and women in uniform who are doing their duty and making Britain proud.