You said it!!

Since Blair started the rot towards full devolution they might as well have full independence and make their own ways in the world without the billions of subsidies both nations receive from the UK government. The anachronism of the Barnett Formula for Scotland has been debated endlessly and never resolved.

England would be hugely better off, even without Al’s beloved oil revenues, but I will feel sad for the many Scots I know, and have known for more than 30 years, who never even wanted devolution, because they take a rather more rational view from their nationalistic compatriots.

Bombshell! Unless it’s my eyesight, but there is no propeller other than a photoshop job to simulate a propeller. Now the truth is out.

That will never happen – it’s the “turkeys voting for Christmas” story. Why should anyone of the permanent members of the Security Council forfeit their position. And the factor you crucially forget is the financing of the UN. It has no money per se only that provided by its members in widely varying amounts, the lion’s share being paid by the US, despite their defaulting on their full commitment.

I agree that the UN is better than its predecessors, except that they were infinitely less extravagant with their expenditure, but it is a relatively toothless organisation.

Indeed – it emphasises the point I made earlier. Atlanta lost money as well. London will be no exception and despite protestations to the contrary by Coe and Johnson et al, Londoners, mainly, will be paying the bills for years. Yet another thing to thank Mr Blair for!!

Are you sure it’s not her mother in younger days?;);)

Yes, in short, I think you are right.

Nashio, I can understand your objection, however I think even you might admit that our police are not held in the esteem they once were. There are many and varied reasons for this, which can be rehearsed in another thread, and whilst there will always be exceptions to every rule I think the relationship between police and public 30 or 40 years ago was hugely better than it now is.