In a powerful address at the Oxford Union, Advance UK leader Ben Habib made a compelling case for viewing the British Empire not as a source of shame, but as one of the greatest forces for good in world history.
Speaking on March 1, 2026, Habib confronted modern historical revisionism, arguing that it is steadily eroding Britain's national confidence. He drew from his own background—born in Karachi to a Pakistani Muslim father and an English Christian mother—to challenge simplistic narratives of oppression and highlight the Empire's complex, positive contributions.
Habib defended iconic figures including Winston Churchill, abolitionist William Wilberforce, and Cecil Rhodes, while emphasizing Britain's pivotal role in abolishing the slave trade, promoting free debate, and establishing institutions that continue to underpin liberty around the world.
He warned that tearing down statues and denigrating the nation's past amounts to nihilism rather than progress. "If we lose confidence in our history, we lose confidence in ourselves," Habib asserted, urging viewers to engage with the full speech and form their own conclusions.
The debate underscores Advance UK's commitment to reclaiming pride in Britain's heritage and resisting cultural self-doubt.
Speaking on March 1, 2026, Habib confronted modern historical revisionism, arguing that it is steadily eroding Britain's national confidence. He drew from his own background—born in Karachi to a Pakistani Muslim father and an English Christian mother—to challenge simplistic narratives of oppression and highlight the Empire's complex, positive contributions.
Habib defended iconic figures including Winston Churchill, abolitionist William Wilberforce, and Cecil Rhodes, while emphasizing Britain's pivotal role in abolishing the slave trade, promoting free debate, and establishing institutions that continue to underpin liberty around the world.
He warned that tearing down statues and denigrating the nation's past amounts to nihilism rather than progress. "If we lose confidence in our history, we lose confidence in ourselves," Habib asserted, urging viewers to engage with the full speech and form their own conclusions.
The debate underscores Advance UK's commitment to reclaiming pride in Britain's heritage and resisting cultural self-doubt.