Amongst the liberal-minded that induces either a shudder or else a mild fit of giggles. That is what makes British politicians' attempts at national pride sound so preposterously pathetic. They don't need to laugh at themselves, we do. How refreshing it would be to have leaders who didn't strut and mouth embarrassing boasts about Britishness. Politicians seem not to know the difference between love of country and empty patriotic pride.
Love is a virtue and pride a sin.
Love of family and friends, for example, doesn't need to proclaim them superior beings to all others, just beloved. You can love an old arm chair or a familiar view without it being the best in the world. But pride jingos about on the world stage, denouncing Johnny foreigners and boasting everything British is best when it patently isn't. That false pride is and always has been the Tory way. This speech, like all such attempts at defining us, is a great bowl of lumpy custard ladled over everything.