Time for a new British (or English) identity

[shaunbhoy]

Not all of us were born with webbed feet and propensity for gurning uncontrollably
HTH

Credit where it is due though. You've really put the hours in and become fairly accomplished.

[Le Rosbif]

From that article "However, in 1983 the initial bad economic results forced the government to renounce dirigisme and start the era of rigueur ("rigour"). Dirigisme has remained out of favour with subsequent governments, though some of its traits remain."

So it doesn't work.

Next!

1983 - Mitterand
Was not applying dirigisme, but socialism

De gaulle was - that's why we have the nuke, rockets, nuclear power plants, satellites, Airbuses and the best train system in Europe (the world in fact)

Not that after De Gaulle no otehr government applied dirigism. The economical health of France is brilliant today indeed - thanks to them.

Ultra liberalism does no work.

[Mich the Tester]

Ah, of course, Madame Miggins and her Croissant Shoppe!

That's right; Madame Miggins who delivers croissants to Renault's head office across the road; I've been there, me! Exceedlingly good croissants too!

[Mich the Tester]

De gaulle was - that's why we have the nuke, rockets, nuclear power plants, satellites, Airbuses and the best train system in Europe (the world in fact)

Not when the rest of Europe wants to use it and spend money on it in the summer holidays.

[Le Rosbif]

Ah, of course, Madame Miggins and her Croissant Shoppe!

You have a sorry vision of SMEs

nah you're just ignorant

[Le Rosbif]

Not when the rest of Europe wants to use it and spend money on it in the summer holidays.

pay or walk you biatch!

[sasguru]

and

I can bury my head in the sand as much as I like; anyone wishing to see the unwritten British constitution 'amended' ( it doesn't get 'amended'; it evolves through a combination of case law, acts of Parliament and those international agreements approved by parliament, and lest I forget, Royal Prerogative, which doesn't happen much now) would have to get a huge proportion of the British electorate behind the idea; can you explain how that is going to happen?

Well according to the far right parties of Europe, this will be when the Muslims breed so much they become majorities in Europe.
This idea is of course negated by the reality that is second/third generation immigrants of whatever nationality usually have similar birth rates to the native population.
And also by the rather srtartling fact that birth rates are reducing all over the world.
But then stupid people were never able to do maths.

[Mich the Tester]

pay or walk you biatch!

Well, no, the French transport workers have this nasty habit of going on strike every summer, so I just bypass the place really.

[sasguru]

. The economical health of France is brilliant today indeed - thanks to them.

.

Now I know you're insane. France has lived beyond her means for years. The last balanced budget was 1975 (Uk 1997).
Anyone can have nice things when they borrow the money for it.
Now it's time to pay.

[Le Rosbif]

Well according to the far right parties of Europe, this will be when the Muslims breed so much they become majorities in Europe.
This idea is of course negated by the reality that is second/third generation immigrants of whatever nationality usually have similar birth rates to the native population.
And also by the rather srtartling fact that birth rates are reducing all over the world.
But then stupid people were never able to do maths.

you should spend your next holidays in Marseille. town center.
or Brussels - town center
or Paris - suburb

Nah - stay where you are - stay ignorant

and when the riots will be at your door, get on your knees and shout "why, oh why"?