I AM so tired of those who continually diminish our country.
Call them what you want, activists, zealots, militants, even extremists, they seem to relish misery.
One commentator amusingly referred to them as, ‘Just Stop Everything’.
Every bandwagon is leapt on, weaponised and then launched on an unsuspecting public.
This pessimism infiltrates its way into the nation’s very psyche, not helped by an insatiable media, hungry for bad news.
Social media, too, plays its part, giving a platform to minority views that are anything but positive.
It takes events like the London marathon last Sunday to restore one’s faith that the silent majority does exist.
The many thousands of competitors were not blocking roads to promote their cause, or disrupting lives, they were pushing themselves physically for a myriad of good causes and were an example to us all.
This was not declinism, it was courage, service, selflessness and effort.
And to those pervasive doom-mongers, who think that leaving the EU has rendered us incapable of looking after our own interests, I point to Sudan.
This week, 1,200 special forces and paras were swiftly found to conduct the kind of exfiltration exercise at which we excel.
In so many areas, especially technology, we are world leaders, with a combined market value of £1 trillion last year.
And, except for the US and China, we can boast more start-up companies valued at £1 billion or more.
Harnessed and nurtured, this is a powerhouse for good.
And, it’s in stark contrast to gluing yourself to a road.
Finally, let’s not forget our unique and enduring monarchy.
Next month’s coronation represents 1,000 years of tradition, which has endowed us with strength, lasting values and respect.
Pride, not cynicism, is called for.