h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Monday 17th March 2003 (Reuters)
The Right Honourable Tony Blair, Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, expressed "surprise" today after reports suggested that the United Nations does exist.
It is understood that a "conscience" managed to find it's way into 10 Downing Street, setting off alarms throughout Westminister. After being apprehended by the police, it was revealed that the conscience and Mr Blair were involved in a 41-year relationship, which only ended when Mr Blair became leader of the Labour Party. The conscience is believed to have told Mr Blair about the UN just before being captured. The Prime Minister was rushed to hospital with shock, but later made a statement in which he told of his surprise that such an entity could exist.
Alistar Campbell, the PM's official spokesman, had this to say, "Thankfully it was just a false alarm and calls to Mr Bush and Mr Anzar have confirmed that the UN doesn't exist. Just like a politician's integrity, it's all a hoax."
The bombing starts in 24 hours and the legal proceedings against the Government in 25.

He's a covert conversative ... a sleeper.

Erm... Northern Ireland is part of Great Britain!

Are you sure?

The front cover of a UK passport states something like "The United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland."

The way I (simplistically) understand it:

Britain is the big mainland bit ... the geographical island.
Great Britain is the territory of England Scotland and Wales
The UK is Great Britian plus the terrotory known as Northern Ireland.
The British Isles is the whole geogrpahical lot, including Eire and its territory.

DMT's right.
The full official title of our fair kingdom is
"The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."
It's a bit I know, but Northern Ireland is considered outside Great Britain but inside the UK.
Oberon2001