Britons are famous for having itchy feet and wanting to explore the world. Perhaps it’s because we live on an island and are not willing to be restricted by the sea that surrounds us, or perhaps we’re just a more adventurous bunch than many other nationalities.
Our willingness to travel has forced our government into the position where they are now world leaders when it comes to the technology and processes they have in place to support Brits abroad. But a new survey by the IPPR highlights the many ways that the British government could actually do more to encourage the reintegration of British expats.
Brits abroad are generally proud of their British roots and happy to associate with the United Kingdom, and as a result the IPPR has suggested that British expats are an under-explored and utilised asset to the UK, and that more should be done to encourage cross border integration and the promotion of Britain abroad by an army of expatriates. We have strong reservations about the IPPR’s proposals – read on to explore the argument.
No matter where you go in the world you will find at least a solitary Brit has been there before you – from the beaches in Baja to the mountains in Montenegro we Britons have been there, seen that and sometimes even bought the t-shirt. We are not restricted in life by the geographical location where we are born – but at the same time, the ‘Global Brit’ survey by the Institute of Public Policy Research indicates that the majority of Brits abroad are proud of their roots.
Far from being a universal truth that we leave the UK in droves because we are completely dissatisfied with life in Britain, the survey of Brits overseas has indicated that we move abroad in search of opportunity. This supports the view that the majority of expatriates are therefore likely to be professionals or motivated individuals who could be an asset as ambassadors to Britain.
The findings of the survey suggest that the new government should be doing more to encourage Brits abroad to ‘fly the flag’ for the UK overseas, and that a strong majority of Britons would be happy to have more interaction with the government ‘back home.’ However, this goes against some of the very strong feedback we receive at Shelter Offshore from relocated Brits – what’s more, surely the fact that proportionally speaking, very few Brits who are living permanently abroad choose to vote in British elections should speak volumes about a Brit’s willingness or otherwise to have anything significant to do with their old home nation.
At Shelter Offshore we feel that the IPPR has painted a particularly rosy picture of the potential for the government to interact more with expats, and that the reintegration of Brits in a bid to further the British cause abroad is unlikely to be possible. At the moment there is a strong push to encourage Brits abroad to register with the LOCATE database via their nearest consulate or embassy, however this goes wholly against British values and smacks of Big Brother wanting to keep tabs on you even though you’re now a non-resident and you’re a fully fledged member of a new society abroad.
Brits abroad are potentially excellent ambassadors to the UK – but we are unsure that the British government will ever be able to harness and utilise this benefit because it is a benefit not willing to be limited or restricted. Brits move abroad because they have the freedom to do so, and it is this freedom that is absolutely a birthright for all Britons that will prevent them from ever being corralled and forced to promote ‘Britishness’ abroad!
