Poprimus Forums
Identity defines how we see ourselves, either in reality or as we wish to be.
Candour: open, honest and direct. Our working classes fit the mould very well: our middle and upper classes much less so. Our political classes, governments and public services are interested more in their narrow vested interests, and in perpetuating the status quo - and their places within that - than in pursuing the better interests of broader society.
Courage: being brave. Willing to fight for, and do, what is right and to accept the consequences, willing to admit mistakes and rectify them, change direction when the chosen path is clearly questionable or wrong.
Integrity: trustworthiness. Reliably and demonstrably honour and deliver against commitments made.
Reason: knowledge, data and logic based decisions and actions over emotions and faith / superstition based rationale. Modern, science and data / logic based, education must replace indoctrination. Neither religious nor so-called 'cultural' historic doctrines can be allowed to influence the healthy development of intelligent, inquisitive minds.
These are the core aspects of identity that we need to embrace, as individual citizens, and demand of those in government, public services and business. All of these organisations currently pay serious 'lip-service' to such ideals, but far more often act in secretive, self-protectionist mode. Far and away the biggest barrier to our progression as a genuinely open society, where opportunity is there for all in society rather than those lucky enough to be born into privilege, is that oldest of British afflictions - NIMBY-ism.
