The idea that having a trade surplus with somebody somehow makes you stronger in negotiations is crap. It misunderstands what trade is for. The best outcome for a country is not to run a huge surplus… (View Post)

(For the record, here are the figures: Hounslow: 10,760 Hillingdon: 8,960 Ealing: 5,760 Slough: 4,090) (View Post)

I agree. The same thing is true of the ERM in the early 90s. The fact that Brown was if anything more enthusiastic for ERM membership than the Conservatives didn't have any effect on the public … (View Post)

Government cockups I think most people agree on: - being too complacent about travel from Europe in January and February - moving OAPs into homes from hospitals without testing them - developing the … (View Post)

Yes. People will comply with rules they don't like if a) there are stiff punishments AND b) they think they're likely to be caught. Our government has been excellent at announcing stiff pun… (View Post)