Britain - a small Island?

[observer]

Some Russian made the  statement, - that " Britain is a small Island, that no one takes any notice of" - Whilst "small Island" (or more accurately islands) is an obvious geographical fact, do we really want to pursue this post-colonial hangover of pretending to be a big player on the world stage ?

[wolfie]

 do we really want to pursue this post-colonial hangover of pretending to be a big player on the world stage ?

No, and hopefully the recent vote in the House of Commons will be the first step down that road.

[Lt Kije]

Agree with Wolfie, perhaps the next step would to resign from being a permanent member of the UN Security Council. And then perhaps less Countries would look at us to take a lead.

[algy]

There are definite benifits from 'standing in the shadows' most of the scandinavian countries do so and they seem to be doing ok!.

[observer]

Not sure "lead" is appropriate, the US says "jump" and normally we say "how high" !

[Davy51]

We might even qualify for aid as a Third World country .

[algy]

Some Russian made the  statement, - that " Britain is a small Island, that no one takes any notice of" - Whilst "small Island" (or more accurately islands) is an obvious geographical fact, do we really want to pursue this post-colonial hangover of pretending to be a big player on the world stage ?

There is some truth in what he say's, other than Argentina (not so sure they are any more!) I don't believe many countries respect us as a major power, we can't keep quoting from the history books how we were a major power and had a great empire, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and France all had massive empires in the past and now look at their world power rankings. It doesn't reflect on the people and armed forces of this nation it reflects on the governments that have bled us white and  who have and still are giving what wealth we have away before looking after it's own people.

[wolfie]

Can't argue with that.

[observer]

... and like all Empires the US will meet a similar decline.

[Rockcutting]

VOTE LABOUR

[asperity]

VOTE LABOUR

:wacko: :wacko:

[observer]

Wasn't it (new) "Labour" that spent us into the red, left future generations with PFI debts, took us further into the EU and opened the doors to a flood of E/European immigrants, gave GPs a pay rise and a cut in hours, thus sparking off the current A&E crisis. Not forgetting their sucking up to the City and Bliars wars of course. Unfortunately, the other two main Parties are no better either.

[Lt Kije]

New Labour spent us into the red Obs, was that not the World financial crisis ?

 

 Your beginning to believe the Tory spin, I thought you saw though such things!!!!!

[Davy51]

After seeing the Last Night of the Proms  on tv with all the smiling ,singing & accompanying flag waving , we must come across to the world as a great, prosperous country when in reality we are in some respects a broken 3rd world country whose place on the world stage hides the reality of our trouble at home.

 

We have working youngsters who are stuck in poverty due to high fuel,travel to work, ,energy & rental costs & who, because they work, can't afford to get on the property ladder ,whereas the lazy ,feckless & unscrupulous enjoy a luxury taxpayer funded lifestyle & behold ,in a few short weeks, pensioners will be dying in their homes for want of being able to afford to turn on the heating & the sick will be populating hospital corridors because there are no beds.

 

But ,never fear , Britain will soon be welcoming thousands of Romanians & Bulgarians to bleed our welfare state even more while  Dave signs cheques for foreign aid !

[Bazj]

Britain will soon be welcoming thousands of Romanians & Bulgarians to bleed our welfare state even more while  Dave signs cheques for foreign aid !

 

and the likes of Kije will be there with open arms.... occasionally turning round to tell our youngsters that they can now legally go and work in Romania or Bulgaria for three goats a year as payment.....

[observer]

Well aware Kije of the culture of "borrowing" without an ability to pay back, that appears to still be with us. This culture was promoted by the Banks, seized upon by Governments (especially by Gordon Brown) and every individual who was happily running up thousands of pounds on their credit cards. Gordie was more than happy to drop us in it with PFIs etc, so far from "prudent". Fair summary of the state of the nation Dave, just hope voters start to do something about it.

[Lt Kije]

The crisis started in America did it not

[observer]

That's where the fuse was lit, but without the global financial binge by Governments and individuals, there wouldn't have been a global explosion.

[Lt Kije]

by governments being the right two words, in other words not started by Mr Brown, you could argue that he should have been better prepared for it, but he is not to blame

[asperity]

He was the Chancellor for 10 years, spending all of OUR money. Who else was responsible?

[Lt Kije]

So you hold Mr Brown responsible for the World banking crisis ?

[asperity]

No, but I hold him responsible for the financial crisis in this country. After all he was in charge of the country's finances for the decade prior to the collapse. What were we paying him for?

[Lt Kije]

The financial crisis in this Country was caused by the World banking crisis, I would agree that he could/should have been better prepared for it, but to blame him for it would be wrong, a great many World leaders were caught out by it.

[observer]

Of course Brown wasn't the only one caught out; but as far as the UK is concerned, he left us unprepared to deal with it, by not properly regulating the cowboys in Canary Wharf and by pursuing high spend - high borrow policies of his own.

[asperity]

So, Lt Kije, government ministers shouldn't be held to account just because they make a complete mess of their country's finances - is that what you're saying? They can do what they like, getting well paid, then walk away with a handsome pension without any comeback. A fine state of affairs.