British Values

In common with every other teacher / lecturer / tutor in the country I have to undertake ‘Prevent’ training to inculcate me with HMG’s definition of “British Values” and the need to promote them and recognise signs of extremism and radicalisation (i.e. vocal or violent dissent from said values) in the student body and report such to the authorities, so today I successfully completed the on-line module and learnt amongst other things that HMG have decided that British values boil down to democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, and respect for others’ beliefs; not much to argue with there, though they don’t seem particularly or exclusively British as most of Western Europe and the USA would subscribe to them (even if a Trump-led US would probably ditch the fourth mentioned), what about sense of humour, fair play, support for the underdog and a stiff upper lip – these are what I think more distinguish us, but of course you couldn’t police those.