🇬🇧United Kingdom · 10s
Scottish Independence Vote
Scotland voted to stay, ice buckets went viral, and Britain marked the centenary of WWI.
5 milestones of 2014
Scotland voted 55-45% to remain in the United Kingdom. Turnout was 85% — the highest in any UK election since universal suffrage. Cameron promised 'The Vow' of more powers. The independence question was not settled.
Constitutional debate — present both sides fairly
Britain marked 100 years since the start of World War I. The Tower of London was surrounded by 888,246 ceramic poppies — one for each British and Commonwealth death. 5 million visited. It was overwhelming.
War remembrance — deep respect
UKIP won the European Parliament elections — the first time a party other than Labour or the Conservatives had won a national vote in over a century. Nigel Farage's anti-EU, anti-immigration message resonated.
Immigration and EU debate — present factually
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge swept Britain. Everyone from David Beckham to the Archbishop of Canterbury poured ice water over themselves. It raised $115 million worldwide for motor neurone disease research.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa killed over 11,000 people. Britain sent 800 military personnel and built treatment centres in Sierra Leone. NHS workers volunteered. The global health response was led in part from London.
Epidemic — honour healthcare workers and victims
70% local · 30% international
The Imitation Game
Morten Tyldum — Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing. British genius, British injustice.
Paddington
Paul King — A Peruvian bear in London. Hard stare. Marmalade. Perfection.
The Theory of Everything
James Marsh — Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking. Cambridge, love, ALS.
Pride
Matthew Warchus — Gay activists support miners in 1984. True story. Joyful.
Guardians of the Galaxy
James Gunn — Chris Pratt and a talking raccoon. Marvel's surprise hit.
Tower of London Poppies
Aug-Nov 2014 — 888,246 ceramic poppies. 5 million visitors. Britain remembered.
Happy Valley
2014-present — Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Cawood. Yorkshire crime drama. Stunning.
The Great British Bake Off
2014 — Nancy Birtwhistle won. The show was now a national institution.
Scottish Referendum Night
Sep 2014 — All-night coverage. 85% turnout. Scotland voted No — just.
Fargo (TV)
2014-present — British actors (Martin Freeman) in American crime drama. Brilliant.
Currency: GBP
Inflation: 1.5%
Recovery continuing. Wages still stagnant. Zero-hours contracts growing. The EU question looming.
Inflation-adjusted values
Apple Pay
Contactless payment from your phone — cash declining.
Amazon Echo
Voice assistant Alexa launched in the US — UK coming.
Uber growth
Ride-hailing app expanding across UK cities.
Streaming dominance
Netflix and Spotify becoming primary entertainment platforms.
Selfie stick
The most mocked tech accessory of the year.
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