Redhotcurry - News. Ethnic Minorities Feel Most British.

Feeling British could provide the glue for a more cohesive society, especially regarding Britain's ethnic minority populations new research issued today suggests. The survey carried out by ETHNOS on behalf of the Commission for Racial Equality for the Morgan Stanley Great Britons Awards 2005 asked people from a variety of cultures across England, Scotland and Wales 'What is Britishness?' The results showed Britishness represented very similar values and attributes to all sections of society, and that all groups identified in some way with being British. This common thread is encouraging as we push for better integration between all elements and groups within Great Britain.

The Morgan Stanley Great Britons research showed:

People who feel most British are those from ethnic minorities living in England. But they do not see themselves as English.
In Scotland and Wales all those asked have a much stronger identification with their respective country than 'Britain'.
In England, white English people see themselves as English first, but also as British.

Across all groups British traits identified include: single-mindedness, motivation, ambition, hard work, focus, creativity, achievement, a positive impact on others, financial freedom, respect, knowledge and fulfilment. Alongside cultural elements such as queuing, football and traditional British food, small everyday manifestations of Britishness are demonstrated in values of respect and fairness, law and order, politeness and courtesy.

The survey has been carried out for the Morgan Stanley Great Britons '05 Awards, launched today. The public are asked to nominate someone who they think is a Great Briton and represents British success. Categories include cover Arts, Business, Campaigning, Creative Industries, Public Life, Science & Innovation and Sport.

Sir David Walker, Chairman of Morgan Stanley International said: "This year, perhaps more than ever, we've been asking the question what it means to be British and we're delighted that this research confirms there is a shared and positive understanding of Britishness irrespective of ethnicity. Morgan Stanley is proud to be supporting Great Britons '05 which celebrates people that embody this essence of Britishness and which can act as role models for future generations."

Trevor Philips, Chairman of the CRE commented: "This research is certainly heartening. It is encouraging to know that people in Britain, no matter what their race or faith share a common set of ideas about what makes us good citizens. This is a great foundation for us to build on.

"There are people in our society who do not feel they belong, that they don't have a stake. But this shows there can be a common bond between us all if we are ready to create it. These 'British' qualities are found in all sorts of people. Perhaps there is more that unites us than we all think."

Interesting nominations so far include:

Jamie Oliver - Nominated in the Campaigning category by Tim Smit for 'inspiring people to improve their lives and for affecting the future prospects of thousands of children in a real way - to me, he is a national treasure'

Lord Sebastian Coe - nominated by Kelly Holmes in the Public Life category 'Seb played a fundamental role in bringing the Olympic Games to London - the greatest sporting spectacle on earth that will leave a legacy for generations to come.'

Nicholas Hytner - Nominated in the Arts category by actor, Toby Stephens 'for making the National Theatre such a huge success both financially and creatively over the last year'

Ellen Macarthur - nominated by the polar explorer Pen Hadow for the Sport category: 'A Brit with grit who redefined the boundaries of human performance around the globe - and made me proud to be British.'

Dame Kelly Holmes - nominated by Barry Norman in the Public Life category 'for the way she has used her double Olympic success to start a campaign to get young British women interested and involved in sport. It was time somebody did it and she is the perfect role model.'

Judges for this year's include Dr David Starkey, David Hempleman-Adams, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Lord Waheed Alli, Richard Lambert, Lord Browne, Lord Moser, and The Lord Paul of Marylebone together with last year's winners .

Winners from last year's Great Britons awards include Dame Kelly Holmes, Philip Pullman, Lord Norman Foster and Jane Tomlinson, with Sir Tim Berners-Lee, father of the World Wide Web, being named as the Great Briton of 2004.

Nominations for the Great Briton of 2005 can be made via the website www.greatbritons05.co.uk. Or via phone on 09011 25 25 88.

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