But when we look at the origins of the names of many of us English you will see origins from beyond our shores!! I tend to look at those people born/brought up here as English as me but with a plus factor which is their heritage. A friend of mine born in the same hospital in Birmingham was from a Sikh family. He always thought of himself as Indian as a youngster despite his love of football and music. But at 13 he visited the family village in India which was such a culture shock. He then realised how English he was. I was a foreigner to London in 1978 from a nomadic English existence. But this is my home. I was not born here but consider myself a Londoner. I am not a cockney. But most of my friends are northerners, Irish or foreign. I respect the people who come here and get on with their lives. Sadiq Khan is a good example of the families who have come to London to make a good life for themselves and in the process have enriched our City. This has happened with the Huguenots, Jews, Irish and many others over hundreds of years. Ever since London became a prominent City people have come from the English Countryside for a better life. Often we have lived in poor conditions at times before life improved. I lived in rented flats with cracked windows before i bought my first home. London is a fluid exciting City with many problems, also a contrast with Homeless and homes worth 10's of millions.
Peter Chadburn ● 3363d