Britain’s economy is in trouble because of the denial and hypocrisy of Brexiteers
Liam Fox might think that free trade is based on patriotism, but the research suggests otherwise, says The Independent [Image: Reuters].
Liam Fox might think that free trade is based on patriotism, but the research suggests otherwise [Image: Reuters].
Not long ago there was an official Government target for UK exports.
“We want to double our nation’s exports to £1 trillion this decade,” the former Chancellor, George Osborne, proclaimed in his 2012 Budget speech.
The forecast for 2020, the date when we were supposed to hit the magic £1 trillion number? £575bn. So a miss by a mere £425bn.
Brexit itself can’t possibly be the problem for its champions, so other culprits have been identified by Liam Fox. “I can agree as many trade agreements as I like, but if British business doesn’t want to export, then that doesn’t do us any good,” he said in an interview last week.
Leaving aside the aching hypocrisy, the flawed economic worldview such comments betray is notable. Fox seems to see strong export-growth as something that relies, fundamentally, on vigour and patriotism from firms. In fact, the evidence suggests it requires a dense framework of state support from above and below.
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No no no its all down to Putin, he made everyone vote for Brexit
My understanding was that the pro-Brexit propaganda emanating from Russia mostly happened after the referendum.
But it’s a nice story, isn’t it?
Even during the height of the British Empire in the 19th century, the times which Fox, David, Johnson et al seem to want to go back to, Britain’s biggest trading partners were always in Europe. Their view of history is distorted by jingoistic flag-waving nonsense.
Strange that, when the Tories offered us a referendum to join the EEC, they reneged on the offer, because they “Couldn’t trust the British voter to vote “Yes,” and so they took us in without a vote. Today, they blame the voter for taking us out. I wish those hard working people would get behind the peoples’ party instead of the party of the idle rich!”
I pesonally backed De Gaulle, because he tried everything to make sure the British would be refused entry, because they would never be in harmony with the rest of Europe, as the rest of Europe are nothing like as selfish as our ruling mob!!