England - Profile

England is the largest constituent part of the

United Kingdom, and accounts for 83 per cent of its population and most of its
economic activity.

Issues affecting the United Kingdom as a whole therefore also apply to England in
particular, especially in the case of identity politics. England's continuing contribution
to world civilisation is significant, ranging from language to sport, music and law.

The various kingdoms set up by Germanic settlers in the 5th-6th centuries were
finally united into the Kingdom of England between 927 and 954. The Norman
Conquest of 1066 brought in a new ruling class from northern France and heavily
influenced the language, culture and European orientation of the country.

England gradually annexed Wales and established

hegemony over Ireland and Scotland. This
Kingdom of England had a distinct identity until it
was subsumed into the United Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707.

The establishment of devolved parliaments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

after 1997 gave those constituent parts of the United Kingdom their own political
identity, leaving England the only part directly run by the British government.

This has raised the profile of the "West Lothian question", namely that Scottish MPs
can vote on specifically English matters in the Westminster parliament while English
MPs have no say over Scottish affairs.

England has its own quasi-governmental organisations and Regional Assemblies. Set
up after 1998, these assemblies are made up of local government nominees and
monitor the work of Regional Development Agencies. Only the Greater London
Assembly is directly elected.

Government proposals for elected assemblies were dealt a blow by the rejection of
such a body in the North-East of England in a 2004 referendum. Common criticism of
the assemblies at the time was that they were to have no devolved powers other than
responsibility for transport. The unelected assemblies are likely to be abolished in
2010 as part of a reorganisation of English local government.

A campaign for an English parliament has grown and is backed by some Conservative
MPs, but has not yet entered the political mainstream. The Labour Party has
maintained that an English parliament would overshadow the rest of the United
Kingdom. Cornwall, an English county with a separate Celtic identity, has seen a
campaign for its own assembly, backed by all five of the county's Liberal Democrat
MPs.

Identity

According to the most recent census data, about 95% of the population of Scotland
and Wales identify as White British, rising to 99% in Northern Ireland. The
comparable figure for England is just under 85%. Therefore most of the British debate
about ethnic diversity, immigration and national identity in fact applies to England.

This sensitive political question is further complicated by two factors.

First, British and English institutions and national identifiers such as flag, language,
anthem and popular culture largely overlap. As a result, markers of specific English
identity, such as the flag of St George, tend to be
unofficial, while similar signs of Scottish and Welsh nationhood are sanctioned by the
separate institutions of those countries.

Second, Scottish and Welsh nationalist movements have long been part of the
political mainstream, and are seen as champions of legitimate historical national
identities. English nationalism, on the other hand, is more often portrayed as a
reaction to non-white immigration and the exclusive province of the neo-fascist right,
despite the existence of a small constitutional nationalist movement that focuses on
the English parliament issue.

This makes public discussion of English identity politics difficult, as politicians on the
left and right have discovered, as accusations of racism and appeasement of minorities
are exchanged.

The one area where English identity is able to develop without political controversy is
the realm of culture, and sporting teams are often the most comfortable focus for
national loyalty.

Culture

England has made a number of major contributions to civilisation, perhaps the most
significant being its language. Through a combination of British colonial expansion
and trade, plus the world-power status of the United States since 1945, English has
approached de facto international second language status.

Outside the large areas of the world where it is already an official if not first language,
English predominates in international diplomacy and has become the main language
in science, communications, business and the entertainment industry.

It is estimated that more than a billion people can speak English at a basic level.
Among other cultural achievements, England's sporting life is followed worldwide, in
particular its football Premier League and cricket team.

In terms of popular music, England's international impact has rivalled that of the
United States from the Beatles to the club scene of the 1990s and beyond.

Law

English law underpins a variety of legal systems worldwide. A common-law system

distinct from that practised in the rest of Europe, it spread with the expansion of the
British Empire and applies in many countries previously ruled by Britain.

Under common law, judges apply legal precedent in court on the basis of previous
court rulings. This is distinct from civil law, the predominant legal system in the
world, which requires judges to apply prior abstract rules to cases under
consideration.

As the United Kingdom is a member of the European Union, European civil law is
also applicable in England and Wales in matters pertaining to interpretation of
European Union law.

FACTS

• England
• Status: Part of United Kingdom
• Population: 51.45 million (2008 official estimate)
• Capital: London
• Area: 130,395 sq km (50,346 sq miles)
• Major language: English
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 77 years (men), 82 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 pound sterling = 100 pence
• Main exports: Manufactured goods, chemicals, foodstuffs
• GNI per capita (UK figure): US $45,390 (World Bank, 2008)
• Internet domain: .uk
• International dialling code: +44

MEDIA

London is the hub of the media industry in England and the UK. The capital is a
major centre for broadcasting, film and programme making, publishing and new
media.

Most of the BBC's UK-wide TV and radio networks are based in London, although
the corporation is moving some programme departments to Manchester, in north-west
England.

The BBC and commercial operators run TV and

radio services across the English regions. Local
TV output often comprises a half-hour evening
programme, featuring regional stories.

The BBC's English Regions local radio network comprises 40 stations, many of them
serving a single county. Outlets follow a news and speech-based remit.

Local and regional commercial radio formats are often music-based. The radio
market, particularly in London, is highly competitive.

The UK's national newspaper titles publish from London, although they have deserted
their famous Fleet Street home.

There is a lively local and regional press scene; many dailies and weeklies are owned
by large publishing groups. Some papers distribute free copies in an attempt to stem
declining circulations.

The press

• Evening Standard - London's evening daily

• Manchester Evening News - north-west daily
• Birmingham Post/Birmingham Mail - West Midlands stablemates
• Yorkshire Post - Leeds-based daily
• Evening Chronicle - Newcastle-based daily
• Western Morning News - Plymouth-based daily

Television

• BBC English Regions regional TV

• ITV Local - regional services from leading commercial TV network

Radio

• BBC English Regions local radio

• RadioCentre - commercial radio industry body
• BBC London 94.9 FM - BBC's station for the capital

• LBC - London, commercial, news and talk