Paul Embery is one of the most interesting, insightful and original voices to have emerged in British journalism for some time — Douglas Murray
THERE WAS NO shortage of young British men willing to enlist in the armed forces at the outbreak of two world wars last century. When the call came in 1914, groups of pals up and down the country practically skipped to their local recruiting offices. And when, a couple of decades later, Hitler had his jackboot on Europe’s neck, the next generation signed up in huge number and with similar enthusiasm.
Not that there’s anything especially British about the desire to fight for one’s country. History shows us that all over the world, young men, driven by an innate patriotism, have time and again thrown themselves forward in a great national effort to defend all they hold dear.
It would be nice to think that, were Britain faced with invasion by some foreign foe, our young generation would again rally to the cause. But surveying the country today, it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that the type of national solidarity that inspired so many to step up in the past is quickly evaporating.
Troublingly, some of our public leaders appear utterly oblivious to this fact. Almost daily we witness establishment voices – including politicians and military chiefs – beating the war drums in their deranged attempt to provoke some sort of conflict with Russia. Do none of them realise that we are no longer the nation we were even 20 years ago, let alone last century?