Vron Ware (London, Open University): A genuine museum of Britishness, as opposed to one of British history, would not be a bad idea. The whole point would presumably be to educate people about the history of Britishness as a force in the world, not just something that has been used to keep the Union together. Gordon Brown may not think he is saying that Britishness belongs only in a museum. But if it doesn't the way to approach this is to open it up for public scrutiny rather than trying to recast it.
If it was done properly, such a museum would have to trace the history of the idea of Britishness and demonstrate all the ways it has been used as a concept to conquer, unite, divide, destroy and so on. It would need to make the history of the British Empire absolutely central, showing how people living in colonies all over the world developed their own understanding of Britishness, particularly in the Victorian era and the period of de-colonisation struggles. Post-colonial countries, whether in the Commonwealth or not, have had to deal with deep legacies of British rule, whether in law, educational institutions, political structures or ethnic and social divisions - yet their perspectives are rarely brought into any discussions or equations about the the concept today.
GB tells us that we should stop apologising for the empire and move on, as though the slate has been wiped clean. But a museum dedicated to opening up that history might make younger generations better able to understand this country’s relationship to the rest of the world.
Moderator: Vron Ware is the author of Who Cares about Britishness, a global view of the national identity debate just published by Arcadia Books
