And how exactly does that make things better for us?

All our industries, shares and markets are intrinsically linked to Europe and the global economy and any slowdown causes ripples everywhere. To think we will smell the roses when we have complete uncertainty going forward is absurd

And anyone who thinks we will prosper is deluded. Look at the level of personal debt in this country which is at record levels and unsustainable

[Link]

In a nutshell that shows we are poor as a country, probably most since the war. Any upturn would be built on wealth and prosperity, but there is none. Brexit will cause inflation which will lead to interest rate rises creating the perfect storm for consumer finances.

You were writing me off because you attached a label to me and then used it to turn the discussion into a left vs right debate. You did this on the totally spurious basis that I had quoted an author whom you recognise as "famous" for views on a particular issue that had nothing whatsoever to do with the quotation I posted or with the debate to which it pertained (which is actually the validity or otherwise of Leibnitzian optimism, but never mind).

This "demanding" that I answer a personal question is a nasty bullying and harrassing behaviour that I won't rise to. Even if you conclude that I am a "lefty" (I'm not) how does that make it OK to write me off? My views are too complicated to be summed up by simple epithets like "left wing" or "neo-fascist", something that I find true for anyone who actually has a brain.

Suffice it to say that I can't align with any kind of extremist politics left or right and that the fundamental thing that all politicians and leaders must bring is something that is sadly lacking round here. Compassion. Properly governed, administered and funded, of course, and recognising that there are those who would take advantage; but if we lack compassion we are no different from the beasts of the field.

A disabled lady had her benefits stopped and had to scrounge from the food back and sit in the cold because she fell on the way to her appointment at the benefits office and was late as a result. Meanwhile someone with two houses who is too lazy to work gets both of them paid for and a wedge on top to pay for booze, justified by the need to support children he never sees. That isn't left or right; it's just wrong.

Sorry Stirling but I don't think it's acceptable behaviour. You aren't here to police these fora or to determine whether posters are either "left wing" or "right wing" and certainly not to cross-examine them on the point. The implication was that you thought you were entitled to an answer and to expect that answer to satisfy you. I owe you no such debt.

There are people in the world with a wide range of political and philosophical standpoints; deal with it.

Edited by chateauferret (09 Jan 2019 9.33am)

Good. We aren't all borrowers and I might as well stash my cash under the bed for all the good it does me on deposit

That's not what we're talking about

Future prosperity would come from growth, investment and personal / consumer wealth

We've had austerity, lack of investment, our deficit is still higher than its ever been and personal debt is at record levels, 15k per household

How will the UK prosper if the country is broke?