Or it fills a widening labour gap consequent of an ageing population with generally well educated Europeans. The low cost is short term as integration will eventually level out comparative costs of labour.

Ironic that a high proportion of elderly people voted leave without realising or giving any real thought to the fact that they were cutting the number of immigrants who work here, pay tax and help fund their pensions and other benefits.

Just turn the pointer 180 degrees and the same facts produce a different outcome.

The mistake we always make is believing that replacing a politician with another politician will somehow improve matters. With over 200 years of experience, you'd have thought that the sheer folly of trusting any politician would have sunk in by now but no, it's just the same old same old, time after time. The rich continue to shaft the poor, vested interests continue to prevail over the common good and individual freedoms continue to be encroached upon.

For a supposedly 'intelligent' specie, mankind is extraordinarily stupid sometimes.

To what extent do you think the electorate gets the politicians it deserves?

I'm not going quite as far as calling democracy "rule by the uneducated", but if people think that all they have to do to have a well-run civil society is turn up every five years, stick a cross in a box, and then dedicate the rest of their time to their own individualistic pursuits, is it any wonder that we end up with vapid, self-promoting narcissists running the country?

...we must expand...get more pupils...so that the knowledge will spread...

Amen to that. As a staunch Brexit voter I am dismayed at the lack of vision from politicians from all parties for post Brexit.

One more point

View from the other side.

I have just got back from a Yoga Retreat, my fellow yogi's are all Remainers. These people were largely academics, Professors, researchers etc. Highly intelligent and generally nice sensible folk.

On the subject of Brexit they were all angry and genuinely scared about what will happen. As a NOT SHY Brexit voter my lady friend had to tell me to keep my mouth shut as this wasn't the time or place to be an army of one.

I could have challenged them but took her advice and glad I did. This was a retreat not a political debate. Anyway over the week I kept silent and just listened I am glad I did as my close friends are all for Brexit so this was the first time I was in company that was overwhelmingly remain. I hadn't appreciated the depth of feeling and fear until now. I haven't changed my opinion but I do think that the Brexit camp need to do more to assuage the fears of those who voted to remain. These people are not stupid yet their concerns are genuine.

Anyway Just thought I would share.

Edit. Sorry I can't resist this one. One of the major concerns a guest had was what was going to happen to her villa in Tuscany. Yup never mind the people in council estates the real issue here is will you she have to take out Italian citizenship. Dam those Brexiteers.

Edited by Badger11 (05 Aug 2018 8.33am)

One more point

I lived in France for 15 years and rents are MUCH MUCH cheaper than in UK, thats the main reason why they rent

Edited by the silurian (05 Aug 2018 8.39am)