Our politicians are clueless. Hardline Brexiteers are too. — © Mark Alexander
Democracy is an illusion! It’s become a political system fostered by the élite, for the élite, in order to fool the people that they have a stake in the system. In actual fact, they have virtually none. The whole political system in the modern era, despite having noble beginnings, is now used to benefit the few at the expense of the many. – Mark Alexander, June 29, 2018
Showing posts with label Michael Lambert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Lambert. Show all posts
May 17, 2026
You Can't 'Put Britain at the Heart of Europe' After Brexit
Our politicians are clueless. Hardline Brexiteers are too. — © Mark Alexander
Labels:
Brexit,
Europe,
Michael Lambert,
UK economy
February 15, 2025
Michael Lambert: 4 Reasons UK Economy Is in a Desperate State
Feb 15, 2025 | The UK economy is failing and there seems to be no way for it to recover without growth and there is very little possibility of this happening.
In this video, I point out three reasons why the UK economy is doing so badly.
First, London has become the world centre for money laundering, attracting dirty money, much of which ends up in British tax havens. In towns and cities throughout the UK can be found retailers who are almost certainly, and often by their own admission, laundering money.
Secondly, the UK made the mistake of privatising vital utilities, water, gas, electricity and the railways. The majority of these are now foreign-owned.
Thirdly, American companies now dominate much of the UK economy. They dominate much of the retail sector including fashion, food, and coffee shops. Amazon now commands 30% of the UK online market. Many of these US owned commercial giants pay little or no taxes in the UK. Instead, licensing payments and other devices are used to divert profits to friendlier tax jurisdictions such as Luxembourg and Ireland. A detailed account of American activities in the UK economy can be found in 'Vassal State' by Angus Hanton.
Finally, the UK has economy has been badly damaged by Brexit which is now widely acknowledged as being a massive and very costly failure. The UK is now alone in a world dominated by China, the EU, and an America which is now ruled by an eccentric and unreliable president. Despite the obvious damage which Brexit has caused to the UK economy, Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, insists that there will be no return to the Customs Union, the Single Market or to Freedom of Movement.
Given the above it seems impossible to see how the UK economy can even begin to recover.
This is an excellent synopsis of the mess that is the UK economy. Thatcher must be blamed for so many of our economic woes. She sold off almost all of the “family silver”. It goes without saying that I agree with all Michael Lambert has said. – © Mark Alexander
In this video, I point out three reasons why the UK economy is doing so badly.
First, London has become the world centre for money laundering, attracting dirty money, much of which ends up in British tax havens. In towns and cities throughout the UK can be found retailers who are almost certainly, and often by their own admission, laundering money.
Secondly, the UK made the mistake of privatising vital utilities, water, gas, electricity and the railways. The majority of these are now foreign-owned.
Thirdly, American companies now dominate much of the UK economy. They dominate much of the retail sector including fashion, food, and coffee shops. Amazon now commands 30% of the UK online market. Many of these US owned commercial giants pay little or no taxes in the UK. Instead, licensing payments and other devices are used to divert profits to friendlier tax jurisdictions such as Luxembourg and Ireland. A detailed account of American activities in the UK economy can be found in 'Vassal State' by Angus Hanton.
Finally, the UK has economy has been badly damaged by Brexit which is now widely acknowledged as being a massive and very costly failure. The UK is now alone in a world dominated by China, the EU, and an America which is now ruled by an eccentric and unreliable president. Despite the obvious damage which Brexit has caused to the UK economy, Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, insists that there will be no return to the Customs Union, the Single Market or to Freedom of Movement.
Given the above it seems impossible to see how the UK economy can even begin to recover.
This is an excellent synopsis of the mess that is the UK economy. Thatcher must be blamed for so many of our economic woes. She sold off almost all of the “family silver”. It goes without saying that I agree with all Michael Lambert has said. – © Mark Alexander
Labels:
Michael Lambert,
UK economy
January 18, 2025
Michael Lambert: UK Economy - Where Is the Growth Coming from?
Jan 18, 2025 | Every week we hear further bad news about the UK economy. Although other countries are also suffering, the situation in the UK seems far worse, not least as a result of Brexit.
The government under Keir Starmer seems clueless as to how to improve our economy despite talking endlessly about growth. Starmer recently gave a speech about how the UK is to become a worldwide AI superpower alongside China and the USA. It was also announced that he had written to each of the UK regulators asking them to present pro-growth initiatives to Downing St.
Once in power the Labour government agreed to a 15% rise for train drivers who are paid double the UK average. Measures were introduced to increase the minimum wage and make it very difficult to dismiss employees from day one, both of which are likely to deter employment. In the budget Rachel Reeves increased employers' NHI contributions which is a deterrent to employers taking on more staff.
The government has been talking about growth since before they came to power but there has been none. Starmer is now talking about the UK becoming an AI superpower. None of the cabinet has any experience in business and seem clueless as to how to solve our problems. Any solution will take a long time and must prioritise the promotion of small business.
The government under Keir Starmer seems clueless as to how to improve our economy despite talking endlessly about growth. Starmer recently gave a speech about how the UK is to become a worldwide AI superpower alongside China and the USA. It was also announced that he had written to each of the UK regulators asking them to present pro-growth initiatives to Downing St.
Once in power the Labour government agreed to a 15% rise for train drivers who are paid double the UK average. Measures were introduced to increase the minimum wage and make it very difficult to dismiss employees from day one, both of which are likely to deter employment. In the budget Rachel Reeves increased employers' NHI contributions which is a deterrent to employers taking on more staff.
The government has been talking about growth since before they came to power but there has been none. Starmer is now talking about the UK becoming an AI superpower. None of the cabinet has any experience in business and seem clueless as to how to solve our problems. Any solution will take a long time and must prioritise the promotion of small business.
December 28, 2024
Michael Lambert: Is the UK Economy Finished?
Labels:
Brexit,
Michael Lambert,
UK economy
November 23, 2024
Michael Lambert — Opinion: So Many Problems with the UK Economy
Nov 23, 2024 | The UK economy is in a bad way and it is difficult to see how it can improve. Government borrowing in October was £17.4 billion, much more than expected and a record amount for any October since records began. Interest on the national debt is currently £102 billion per year, equal to twice the defence budget.
Retails sales in October were down and energy prices are set to rise further. The government's plan is to go for growth whilst businesses are closing, and many are struggling.
Electricity prices are 78% higher than the average in the EU and four times the rate in the USA. Foreign investors own much of our infrastructure and major businesses, and a Japanese consortium has just been contracted to operate the new Elizabeth Line (Crossrail), taking over from the Hong Kong Metro.
Government waste seems out of control. Under the Public Order Act, police are able to detain and punish anyone who expresses opinions which they disapprove of.
In another apparent waste of public money 470 delegates from the UK attended Cop29 in Baku in Azerbaijan, and the owner of Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd which provides accommodation for asylum seekers made a profit of £62.5 million in the year ending (y/e) January 2023 and £91 million in y/e January 2024. It is difficult to see any positive outcome for the British economy.
Michael, I wholeheartedly agree with your take on the state of the UK. I hate to sound negative, but I have lived long enough to see how the UK operates. I am sorry to say that I see no future whatsoever for this country. The country will just go on bungling along. First, we lost the Empire. Then, our economy went down and down until we became the “Sick Man of Europe”. Then, along came Lady Luck who shined upon us, blessing the nation with great good fortune — a fortunate stroke of serendipidy. We were given the chance to enter the then Common Market. The UK economy started to bloom again. That was until economically illiterate, backward-thinking people insisted that the British electorate be given that stupid Brexit referendum. The result is well-known, and its effects on the UK economy, too. So, we are now on a downward slide into poverty and insignificance.
Current British attitudes amongst the far right show no signs of contrition. On the contrary, they are doubling down, and they are pinning their hopes on the recently elected felon in the USA to reverse their fortunes. I fear that they are “whistling Dixie”. – © Mark Alexander
Retails sales in October were down and energy prices are set to rise further. The government's plan is to go for growth whilst businesses are closing, and many are struggling.
Electricity prices are 78% higher than the average in the EU and four times the rate in the USA. Foreign investors own much of our infrastructure and major businesses, and a Japanese consortium has just been contracted to operate the new Elizabeth Line (Crossrail), taking over from the Hong Kong Metro.
Government waste seems out of control. Under the Public Order Act, police are able to detain and punish anyone who expresses opinions which they disapprove of.
In another apparent waste of public money 470 delegates from the UK attended Cop29 in Baku in Azerbaijan, and the owner of Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd which provides accommodation for asylum seekers made a profit of £62.5 million in the year ending (y/e) January 2023 and £91 million in y/e January 2024. It is difficult to see any positive outcome for the British economy.
Michael, I wholeheartedly agree with your take on the state of the UK. I hate to sound negative, but I have lived long enough to see how the UK operates. I am sorry to say that I see no future whatsoever for this country. The country will just go on bungling along. First, we lost the Empire. Then, our economy went down and down until we became the “Sick Man of Europe”. Then, along came Lady Luck who shined upon us, blessing the nation with great good fortune — a fortunate stroke of serendipidy. We were given the chance to enter the then Common Market. The UK economy started to bloom again. That was until economically illiterate, backward-thinking people insisted that the British electorate be given that stupid Brexit referendum. The result is well-known, and its effects on the UK economy, too. So, we are now on a downward slide into poverty and insignificance.
Current British attitudes amongst the far right show no signs of contrition. On the contrary, they are doubling down, and they are pinning their hopes on the recently elected felon in the USA to reverse their fortunes. I fear that they are “whistling Dixie”. – © Mark Alexander
Labels:
Michael Lambert,
UK economy
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