We must perhaps remove ourself from the popular delusion that the elected government, somehow, actually "runs" the country.
I noted with interest the comment on an earlier posting that the accelerated decline has been "over the last 25 years".
Perhaps that gives a clue?
25 years ago puts us immediately post the Falklands Campaign. A campaign waged in full face of the fury of the FCO and the Treasury who, post Suez, were diametrically opposed to any more perceived neo-colonial crusades or adventures.
The FCO was at the time of Maggie's gamble, as I recall, flabbergasted that the deliberately run-down armed forces could actually pull off such a potentially expensive and politically in the long-term, problematical, stunt.
Such a deviation from their agenda could not be allowed to happen again.
The pragmatic Establishment solution to discourage any further such " politically attractive" misadventures can be seen today.
If we just can't afford to keep on with such follies financially then, eventually, we won't .
"Three cheers all round and another Gin and Tonic, Sir Humphrey!"
Last edited by RETDPI; 18th Feb 2008 at 17:50.