p> IT may be the good weather, or a run of good economic news, or the fact that, in London at least, the Olympic spirit is starting to come alive, but I really do think we have many reasons to be proud of being British.

We have some of the most magnificent countryside in the world. We have a strong and vibrant democracy which works to hold officialdom to account.

We have freedoms and liberties unimaginable for billions of people and we are among the richest countries in the world and so can afford cradle-to-grave welfare support for our citizens.

We have a National Health Service we cherish and, having lived in America where healthcare is unaffordable and inaccessible for many, I know just how precious the NHS is.

We have a government which has protected the funding for the NHS and is carrying out improvements to make it even better and I firmly believe these reforms will deliver better local services.

I have put a quick summary on my website at claireperry.org.uk which puts these proposals into plain English for those interested.

We have a great sense of humour and tolerance for other viewpoints, and nowhere are these qualities more apparent than among those serving in our armed forces, the finest in the world.

We have excellent sausages, great cheese and interesting weather.

We have a Royal Family headed by one of the finest monarchs in history about to celebrate 60 years on the throne and, of course, we have the Olympics to look forward to this year.

It all adds up to a great British story in my book and if there are things which make you proud to be British, I would love to hear about them.

Please do email me at claire.perry.mp@ parliament.uk, write to me at the House of Commons or telephone my local office on 01380 729358 if I can help you with anything.