The missed opportunity

Great Britain's prestige has never recovered from the loss of its empire and its fall from being a superpower after WW2. Yet the pretension is still there (mainly on the right) that we can 'punch above our weight'. This has meant successive British governments have played the role of junior lieutenant to the global economic and military interests of the United States.

From this position I see little that has particularly benefited Britain in the last 20 years. There is no Soviet Union any more. U.K. involvement in Iraq and the manufacturing of the "weapons of mass destruction" Casus Belli has seen Britain's world prestige fall through the floor. I hardly think the Iraq War has benefited Britain at all.

As a nation, Britain has a lot of things going for it. We're the 4th largest economy (although it's only a matter of time until we're the 5th behind China); we also have a low public sector debt-to-GDP ratio compared with most other industrialised countries; and we also have a very open media.

We have enjoyed high economic growth and low unemployment since the mid-90s at a subsequent time when global competitors have suffered. It does worry me that this may not be sustainable, but we're still in a better position than other countries.

I wish that the media, the Blairites and the right-wing in Britain can be honest with themselves for a change. We're not a superpower and we'll never be one again on our own. Hanging-on to America's coat-tails will not make us one either. Britain missed an opportunity to be a voice for reason in Europe and in the world had we kept out of Iraq. Britain should have had called-it for what it was, a war out of economic self-interest by a disingenuous Superpower.

Imagine, an anti-war centrist Labour government against a right-wing pro-war Conservative party surely would have meant the death-knell for the Tories, especially in the climate of public scepticism against the US-Iraq War. What an opportunity that has been lost - the removal of class-war conservatism from British politics.

A lot of damage has been done. What can be done to undo the tarnish on Britain? How can we finally destroy class-war conservatism once-and for all? I'm interested in your opinions.

... But, surprise, surprise, Europe was a no-go area in the election 'cos the Daily Mail said so.

BTW, can we please begin to "out" what the Right mean about "UK Independence" - becoming a satellite nation to a right-wing US via the sinister "Anglosphere" philosophy. At least the Baggy Trousered ones had this in their manifesto but the Tory right are still being uncharacteristically coy about it.

But it's quite clear what future they see for us - Puerto Rico-on-Thames.

The Skin

The Right sees Britain's future exclusively tied to the U.S. The same people on the Right who reject the Euro out of nationalistic reasons rather than economic reasons, would be happier enough for Britain to join the Dollar. They look at the U.S.' cultural and economic conservatism and idolise it.

The Skin