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With England briefly basking in cricketing glory, while poised to greet a new Prime Minister later this week, it seems an appropriate moment to reflect on nationhood. This country has often

rejoiced in the insults of our enemies, from Napoleon’s “nation of shopkeepers” to the Kaiser’s “contemptible little army”. Yet we have seldom felt less certain of or more conflicted about

our identity than we do today. Most obviously, and not for the first time, we face the choice between a European and a global destiny. Our history and geography connect us to the Continent

in myriad ways, but the “ever-closer union” that drives the EU has always made the British queasy. We are alternately enthralled and appalled by the United States, a love-hate relationship

that also exists with other English-speaking peoples. Are we land animals or sea creatures? Perhaps the truth is that we are amphibious. As offshore islanders, such ambiguity comes naturally

and it explains our mixed feelings about migration. The cricket team that defeated New Zealand was captained by an Anglo-Irishman, the Superover was bowled by a man from Barbados, and the

Player of the Match had been born a Kiwi. Norman Tebbit’s cricket test takes on a new meaning when England wins the World Cup with players drawn from across the world. All these cricketing

immigrants, and millions more like them, have voted with their feet to come to England. We could not be the country we are without them. This openness to the world does not make us a “nation

of immigrants”. It makes us a nation of equal partners in a shared enterprise, an expedition with a taste for adventure, a club that abides by mutually agreed rules and obligations, a

commonwealth of the willing. What binds us together is a love of liberty under the law — a precious cargo that we have exported and protected everywhere, from Hong Kong to the Straits of

Hormuz. There is much talk of values, but what the British have given the world are distinctive virtues. Those virtues were conspicuously on display at Lord’s — and indeed at Wimbledon, even

though neither of the finalists was British. Fair play, including magnanimity in victory and grace in defeat; the ability to exude a spirit of cheerful confidence even, and especially, in

adversity; and an unyielding determination to overcome all obstacles. These qualities are all practical expressions of the three great Pauline virtues: faith, hope and charity. The British

have demonstrated these and many other virtues in war and peace, in trade and commerce, in good times and in bad. As long as we continue to show that we haven’t lost our unique qualities,

that we are still capable of astonishing the world with our ingenuity, daring and decency, the future is bright.  Brexit or no Brexit, the England that triumphed at Lord’s is not a nation of

Little Englanders. It is a great nation, a nation that deserves leaders who are also touched with greatness — but not _folie de grandeur._  If, as expected, Boris Johnson takes over this

week, he must not mistake style for substance. The country does not need Churchillian gestures, but bold decisions; not windy words, but doughty deeds.  We are told that the new Prime

Minister’s first port of call may be Washington. If so, he must at all costs avoid the manner of a supplicant, but stand his ground and be conscious of the country he represents. Jeremy Hunt

accused him of “peddling optimism”, which Boris took as a compliment. What is required, however, is less optimism than realism — but tempered by hope. As long as we have faith in ourselves

and are charitable towards others, we have everything to hope for.