Balls.
Canada would be infinitely poorer in many ways without Québec.
A country is not just a financial arrangement.
They know so much that they like to go out and fight toe-to-toe with Catholics in the streets and bars all over the city. Culture my arse. Fucking bigotry.There is a culturally remarkable clip on youtube of Scottish football fans in Athens singing about this Irish Seige. At least the billy boys know something of their nation's heritage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OITh-CnMcQc
Plus, I'm certain the Welsh would be more than happy to be their own country once again.
We never stopped being our own country.
What I find bizarre in all is, is that UK Unionists tend not to see that a United Europe is just a bigger version of the UK, and whilst they support one, they do not support the other.
We never stopped being our own country.
What I find bizarre in all is, is that UK Unionists tend not to see that a United Europe is just a bigger version of the UK, and whilst they support one, they do not support the other.
Cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds are ignored...QUOTE]
You're having a laugh aren't you mate? I can't speak for the other three but Birmingham has had it's fair share of money pumped into it these past 20 years, mainly at the expense of the neighbouring Black Country towns and city!
there are plenty of parts of the West Midlands that are hardly net contributors.
Is that the 'West Midland' region or the defuct metropolitan county?
I am off for a shit in Lake Vyrnwy. :biggrin1:
Doesn't that supply Liverpool? Can't you have a shit in the Elan Valley instead? :wink:
We never stopped being our own country.
What I find bizarre in all is, is that UK Unionists tend not to see that a United Europe is just a bigger version of the UK, and whilst they support one, they do not support the other.
I thinks it's only fair they vacate the Malvana Islands as soon a possible.
I don't deny that England has the best system in the world in terms of education, social, politics, and justice. I like the British disciplines. But it is too cold for me to live there. Can't stand the cold weather.It's a well known fact that England is richer than Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland.
Its unemployment rate is lower - its education results better, its crime rates lower, its life expectancy higher.
The English tax payer on average pays in more and takes out less from the Central pot than our celtic cousins.
Cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds are ignored, whilst the glorified towns of Cardiff, Edinburgh & Belfast have massive redevelopments, get public sector buildings built, in some cases tram systems, just because they happen to be capitals; at a nationwide cost.
If England was independent, taxes would be lower due to the reduction in benefits. And the money saved from keeping Glaswegians alive past 50 could bring a benefit to us.
Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland are leeches - England keeps them propped up.
What are people's views on this?
This should be moved to the masturbation thread.I don't deny that England has the best system in the world in terms of education, social, politics, and justice.
It's a well known fact that England is richer than Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland.
Its unemployment rate is lower - its education results better, its crime rates lower, its life expectancy higher.
The English tax payer on average pays in more and takes out less from the Central pot than our celtic cousins.
Cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds are ignored, whilst the glorified towns of Cardiff, Edinburgh & Belfast have massive redevelopments, get public sector buildings built, in some cases tram systems, just because they happen to be capitals; at a nationwide cost.
If England was independent, taxes would be lower due to the reduction in benefits. And the money saved from keeping Glaswegians alive past 50 could bring a benefit to us.
Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland are leeches - England keeps them propped up.
What are people's views on this?
There has been some exploratory drilling around the Falkland Islands which has been very promising. A new order of technology is needed to drill in the South Atlantic, but on the basis of North Sea expertise this looks possible. Exploration and drilling rights in British sovereign waters are of course an asset which can be marketed. The next government might just see this as the windfall payment to clear the defecit on Britain's balance sheet.
Ownership of territory is subject to international law in which Britain's ownership is accepted. If Argentina or anyone else wants to challenge this they must do it through a legal process. Britain has owned the Falkland Islands since before the state of Argentina existed and the population who have been there for generations are British. There is an overwhelming legal case for Britain's ownership backed by a British resident population and which Britain showed in 1982 she was willing to defend with military force. This provides a safe legal and military environment for exploitation of Falkland Islands oil.
i think we should all pool together and call ourselves something cool like
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
maybe just the UK for short ?
What a great thing that would be
The falkland population is something like 3,000...hardly even note worthy. Further the falklands have been an offical possession since 1833. That's about 26 years after Argentina became independent, let alone "existed".
Also you're talking about ~60 billion barrels worth of oil (if that). That's like what the north sea produces in about 4 to 5 months.