The partial coherence underlying UK digitised content revives the issue of a national digitisation strategy. Recent developments in the European Union, Sweden, France, Norway and Australia offer comparisons with the UK, but the complex strategic environment in Britain would undermine a renewed initiative. There is potential to capitalise on the collaborative culture of the heritage, cultural and educational organisations. If a full digitisation strategy were to prove too challenging, there is scope to concentrate on content selection. The actual and potential areas of critical mass in existing content suggest a de facto strategy. This could be the basis of a national framework which identifies current critical mass and accommodates new areas. The UK has the experience and skills to achieve this, if the necessary commitment can be found.