When Darcus Howe moved to England from Trinidad 40 years ago, he met people who were certain of who they were and what it meant to be English. Today, as Scotland and Wales seek a semi-detached relationship from England and with Europe looming ever nearer, Darcus discovers a people in the throes of an identity crisis.

“The old England of self-confidence, of people knowing who they are, knowing where they have come from, that’s dead… the whole of England is in a flux.” He travels the length and breadth of the country to discover why the English don’t seem to want to be English anymore. On the second leg of his journey in search of the white tribe, he desperately seeks the English who are proud to be white. After “40 days and 40 nights” he draws the conclusion that old England is dead. His mission for the final leg of his journey is clear: to find the “new” England. “What kind of place will England become in the next 50 years? Will there be anything left that feels English?”