'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Only in figures...inflation means that a billion in 2017 is far less compared with borrowing a Billion in 2000...again nick...context is everything...not soundbites

The Voice of Reason In An Otherwise Mediocre World

She was asked the same question 3 times on BBC breakfast this morning, and despite it being pointed out to her by the presenter that she gets criticism for simply avoiding questions and spouting platitudes and tautology she still didn't answer the question.

Interesting stats on neo-liberal Tory Britain, especially as we're about to leave the EU and go it alone (with lots more choice and competition with things like airlines etc.):

Investment in the UK as a % of GDP is lower than the EU and the US and OECD average.

Corporate investment in fixed assets was 11% in 1997 and is 8% today, which is below the rate of capital depreciation i.e. corporate capital stock is eroding (like the rest of the country).

R&D spending as % of GDP is just over half of what it is in Germany or the US (a big problem for our future).

Output per worker hour is lower than the US and all major European economies save Italy which it is about the same as (except it's cheaper to live there and the food's really good even outside of Rome). Since the GFC productivity in the UK has not grown at all. 7 years of Tory rule and no improvement and therefore relative deterioration when compared with the rest of the world.

Our share of world trade has halved in 40 years whilst Germany's has remained stable.

The idea that Britain is on the verge of conquering new world markets is an ignorant fantasy and Brexit is just a mask for all of these problems which are a malaise caused by the structure of our domestic economy and public policy. The mismanagement of Brexit from conception until today by the Tories has merely been a circus adding to the chaos inherent in the underlying structure of our economy, and things will get worse with May et al at the helm.

Never a truer word said in this whole thread!

Supported Palace for over 69 years since the age of 7 and have seen all the ups and downs and will probably see many more ups and downs before I go up to the big football club in the sky.

Thanks for that insight into why you are so bitter.

The funny part is that you actually claim that things will be better under Labour.

What will actually happen is that Labour will borrow loads more money to make things look rosey and the next inevitable Tory government will be left to pay it off once again. The youth of today will be the ones left with the debt thanks to Labour.

Edited by Hrolf The Ganger (03 Oct 2017 12.14pm)

You'd get much better repayment schemes etc on a billion borrowed in 2000 Borrowing now days is like asking someone if you 'can have a go on his daughter'

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