I have to admit I've found a similar but less aggressive stance starting to appear over in The Netherlands. I'm a British person who lives here because I prefer the Dutch National Government, The Dutch People, and The Dutch culture. I work full time and pay my taxes, etc. I've been here almost 2 years and previously never had any issue with talking English to people in Amsterdam. However, of late I have definitely started to be asked about and remarked on for not speaking Dutch. I am learning but it takes time because none of my colleagues speak dutch, large parts of the city speak English and when I try and speak Dutch I get replies in English. I think that the UK and the US are certainly leading the way in terms of heightened xenophobia and racism but I also feel like other countries and cities are starting to move in that direction. Sadly the financial crisis, terrorist attacks, and the subsequent politics have globally started to create an underbelly of hate for our fellow human beings and it saddens me. Hopefully it is a temporary experience and doesn't escalate to a new World or Cultural/Religious/Race War like in the past. Sorry to hear that you're having these experiences in the UK though. It was one of the reasons I left.