>> but change doesn't come quickly from within unless forced Yes. In Britain (and I suppose in mainland Europe too) the jolt came at the end of World War II.

>> but change doesn't come quickly from within unless forced Yes. In Britain (and I suppose in mainland Europe too) the jolt came at the end of World War II. Society in general - and returning service-people in particular - refused to accept the status quo ante. Supported by our American friends' economic largesse / self-interest, there emerged a social and geo-political revolution. In that moment, amongst many other societal improvements, the NHS and decolonisation became firmly established.