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Indeed. Patriotism is a belief in something bigger, it provides individual meaning and group solidarity. As such it has much in common with religion and ideology. Humans need something to cohere and to avoid nihilism (or to avoid being engulfed by manias - as we have recently witnessed). An inclusive patriotism such as Britishness (I.e., not based on race, religion or ideology) seems to me potentially more inclusive and durable than alternatives such identity politics, “social justice”, climate activism or scientistism. It has certainly proven its worth over the centuries and to this day. I have lived in Cuba, France, Japan and the UK and in all of these I feel a sense of nation is critical to the vibrancy of the culture and people’s well-being. As George Orwell noted in the Lion and the Unicorn - the left has tended to scoff at patriotism as inferior to ideology. I think Orwell was perspicacious in recognizing that his freedom to freely hold an ideology at the time depended on British patriotism. (Or a sense of “Englishness” as he called it in his essay).

Though none will buy, obviously. Same seller's full list. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?item=125587797461&rt=nc&_ssn=alibat-143&_pgn=1 I'm drawn to the rather lovely 1977 crown. Very rare, apparently, so likely a snip at £150....

I doubt it is even worth meriting that somewhat offensive statement with a reasoned answer. But I will. Like science the purpose of charity is to enable the group you are setting out to empower to run and support themselves. I relocated for 12 years to simply support one small community with a large issue. At the time I was doing international development work so i did not need payment. I did my job and did an additional 30 hours a week. I returned to my birth place because the young people now have a social enterprise which funds the work we do with kids who have been raped or abused, who are HIV positive , or have lost both parents. A unpaid chief executive is a honorary role like a chancellor and because that is what the beneficiaries wanted my title to be. I travel back every two years or so and run workshops for others looking to start small enterprises and donate money from selling a few coins. But if that offends you I could always edit my profile , I just felt that this is part of who I am and hence happy to share it this is supposed to be a friendly forum where we can feel free to express an opinion. It has been my choice to live in the way I do. I returned because I wanted to use my health insurance to get treatment for cancer so yes I suppose I do live in a predominantly white society not for any other reason that there are not so many people of other nations around me, although we have many Malaysian and Chinese students. I have a home here so whilst not in the nicest part of the UK (others born here love it) it is a roof and as you say we all find groups with whom we share interests and this I have done. Sure I would rather be home in London, but working away for 25 years it was cheaper to return to the house I bought 35 years ago at University. I hope that allows you to understand me a little clearer. I made an investment at the right time and so have no need to work for money so I don't and so spent the last 22 years supporting the charity..( for free) that is my choice.

Not done any exact analysis, but purely from observation, and ball park estimate, I'd say that even in the last 2 or 3 years, prices have increased at all levels of the market. For example, what was £180 in 2020, is now about £240. Quite ordinary, or not desperately uncommon pennies are now routinely being offered at £200 plus. Although there are still bargains to be had. One exact price I did notice was when looking at the change in prices for 1839 proof pennies last night, on Noonans site. I noticed that over the years three separate complete 1839 proof sets had been offered (with the Una and the Lion £5 piece included). In 2004, one went for £16,000. A year or two later, another went for £23,000. Then in 2011, yet another went for £60,000. But at the Noble auction last July - in the Verene Collection of proofs - just the Una and the Lion £5 coin itself went for £421,000 (converted from Australian dollar exchange rate). That is a staggering increase which is way beyond inflation. How long will this continue? Maybe - very probably in fact - coins are seen as a safe haven in these economically turbulent times. Especially rare gold maybe.

This has happened before in times of high inflation - specifically the mid-70s; a few years later prices had fallen back again, thought not to the levels of the immediate post-decimal collapse.

I agree it is a useful "mechanism" to cohere and I am sure it offers a great sense of comfort for many people for as long as it remains a nice comfort , however is=t does get weaponized so often in history that I personally feel it somewhat disagreeable in particular when it is used by politicians to stoke reactions that lead to humane approaches being side lined. I have never really felt its comforting support personally no more than any other group identity. When something feels as if it is being used or abusing others then I will happily become an activist again . Activism does not leave me personally with a sense of belonging any more than the other groups. Science I suppose provides a good framework simply because it is built of experience and observation yet is founded on the principle of seeking to nullify observations until such a time we reach the limits of what we can disprove.....which at that time then opens a possible explanation for some situation....science is never about fact and I quite like that sense of chaos. But of course all positions provide an potential for isolation from one part of society or another. I respect the choices people make to find a sense of togetherness so long as that is not used to harm those who perhaps cannot advocate for themselves.

40 watching apparently....

To be honest whilst I do not agree with the tactics of XR I have seen many times individuals and groups who are willing to protest to achieve many things throughout my life as I am sure you have too. It does take a lot of courage to stand strong on what you believe in, sometimes even a willingness to do harm to self in order to make the apathetic amongst us to take notice. I have done it myself for three main causes in my life Anti apartheid; equality on LGB issues and in forcing governments and pharmo companies to make access to treatment on HIV. If a person is wholeheartedly dedicated to the belief they hold then I can at least understand that it takes such people to highlight something so that we can reach a better place. Your definition is so "all inclusive" that it limits your argument. Some on the right of left, some who are presumably unluvvies ..( although I am not sure exactly what this label really means) I am sure some work quietly in the background , some are quite articulate and many I am sure should come from all of the constructs of "english" classes. There is also a much bigger picture than little Britain. I dont feel myself a great passion for a place I was born, it is just luck and patriotism seems a somewhat small minded approach towards being human. But if a person likes to feel that sense of belonging and "greatness" then there is nothing wrong with that per se, but it is akin to believing in the superstition and /or religion ...it is self reassurance or possibly a delusion of grandeur ( but this is my take on the idea of "the patriot" )