Some may have been surprised by a report from the European Court of Human Rights that the UK has a better record on human rights than any other country in Europe. Nice to be top, winning gold.
At a time when this country has so many detractors who enjoy the privilege of living here, it perhaps is worth considering what other medals, gold, silver or bronze the UK might win. Here are some nuggets.
FNANCE AND SERVICES
The UK has in London the top global financial centre (according to a City of London Corporation report in January 2024), a worthy gold medal to celebrate. Sometimes it only gets a silver after New York.
For the export of services, the UK is second in the world after the USA, that’s silver.
Another gold medal is the English legal system, the preferred system for international commerce, gold again.
TECHNOLOGY AND BOOZE
As number one in Europe for technology start ups and investment, the UK gets gold.
The UK houses in Scotland the world’s largest and perhaps the overall best producer of whiskey in the world. More gold.
EDUCATION, MUSIC AND EVEN FOOD
The UK is home to more top universities than any other country bar the USA. Silver is not bad given the size of the UK. These need to be nurtured.
Some sources, such as Insider Monkey, say that the UK produces the best music (popular variety) in the world, gold again.
According to top world chef Joel Robuchon, 25 Michelin stars to his name, “London is very possibly the gastronomic capital of the world “. That would annoy a number of nations and could be highly controversial, but another UK first is welcome.
THEN THERE IS LANGUAGE AND EVEN THE BBC
What an advantage it is that English is the most spoken language in the world (some 1.5 billion people), ahead of Mandarin Chinese spoken really in one country only. And of course, English remains the most understood language in the EU, which may not please everyone. And the BBC is recognised as the best news broadcaster in the world even despite all its faults. More gold.
AND WHAT ELSE
UK sport produces many winners, such as the football premier league, the undisputed world leader, and FIFA giving the England men’s football team bronze in world rankings for now. But it ebbs and flows. However, the Paris Olympics could show the UK to be a top three country for medals.
There will be so many other topics where the UK is outstanding, take tolerance and diversity for example and advanced healthcare technology. Its democratic and justice stability is the envy of many, but not autocrats, and makes the UK highly attractive. Renowned for its freedoms, it is notable how many protesters shout their dissatisfactions across the UK, but steer clear of countries like China, Russia and countless others where life in prison for speaking a contrary opinion beckons.
Of course, like every major country of the world, the UK faces many problems, many imperfections and failings, and must do better in so many ways. But when reflecting on the grimness of life in the UK, sometimes it is worth recalling excellence relative to other nations, and that, by comparison to some, a level of thanksgiving would not go amiss. No wonder so many people want to come to the UK but that is a more complex problem to leave for another day.
