Please don't let the Daily Mail know, but British motorways already have their distance markers in kilometres.

Can I just remind you that the USA doesn't use a standard pint, theirs is 16oz - so the US gallon is also not a standard imperial measurement either. I can't recall of the top of my head exactly what a ton is in the USA, 2000lbs or 2240 lbs, but the global standard, even in the UK for more years than I care to remember is the "tonne" - 1000kg. So far as speeds are concerned I use 50km/h as measured on my SatNav gizmo as the urban speed limit here (the car speedo over reads, in common with most others) and work on 110km/h on motorways, again as measured by the navigation system.

I imagine this latest rather stupid "change for changes sake" idea has stemmed directly from the brain of Jacob Rees-Mogg as part of his attempt to roll the UK back to the 19th century and the halcyon days of empire. I've got news for him; it ain't going to work, most people (aside of the old fogies that avidly read the Express, Telegraph and Mail) left imperial measurements behind them years ago. Supermarkets aren't about to go back to arcane measurements, neither is manufacturing industry, unless of course "global Britain" means in reality dealing with the USA, USA and yes, the USA.

For me if a shop keeper are market trader can't display a price per kg or litre, and can't tell me what that price is I won't use them - anyhow the old people grubbing around in their pockets and purses of shrapnel makes the whole process of shopping in places like that just to much effort.

Indeed, and I don't believe a lot of people know that!

Don't the railway markers still use chains or somesuch?

When Montgomery was sorting out the Berlin Air corridor with the French Russians and Americans, 20 miles was the proposed width.
When asked whether that was Statute or Nautical, his reply was 'British' . Absolute gold.
The dive in over Hanover was always a sport, to build up a decent head of steam eastbound at FL x. and then watch the communist migs daring you to deviate outside.
Hand signals were encouraged and internationaly recognised.

Except the Underground which uses km for distances. The use of miles and chains on UK main line railways was mandated by the EU. Maybe we can now change :)

ATNotts
The US companies I have dealt with on projects outside of the US moved onto metric in the 1980,s and continue to use Metric. We do little work in the US so I am not sure what they use on Commercial projects, but it would not surprise me if it is in Metric system. I know the one job we currently have in the US with NASA is designed and in Metric system. Also I am not sure how many members of UK population remember the Imperial system, for instance I was born in 1960 and can just about remember some of it, but the vast majority of UK population are younger than me and will not. Obviously another JRM /Express thing, therefore not in the real world. How will this work with Global Britain?
Cheers
Mr Mac

GT
Not used as much as you may think in many US companies, and of course it is a US gallon / ton etc etc not the Imperial one espoused by JRM know doubt. It will make it even harder for UK business having to work through metric / Imperial/ US and there has been many mistakes over the years with this in many spheres, including aviation as you will of course know.
As for beer, unfortunately I can no longer have this as on a diet, but I was not overly bothered in what it came in size wise, as long as it came 🙂
Not sure Yorkshire is the centre of the Universe , and if directed at KnC he is from the other side of the hill I believe, as he is Lancashire Cricket fan. Now with regards Yorkshire we just know we are better than many other counties, and some of my fellow denizens would include countries as well 👍👍👍

Cheers
Mr Mac

America is losing a foot
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/18/s...gy-dennis.html

Did they lose it, or did somebody half-inch it ?

Ninthrace
They lost more than that in Kabul the other week. I will get my coat on my way out !!

Cheers
Mr Mac

I wonder if Boris knows metric units have been legal in the UK since 1875 and that the SI system of units is nothing to do with the EU.
The cost or reintroducing imperial measurements would be substantial. More about it here.
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ent...b0b616054793b3

Really? Some of the signs I see look much older than the EU.

Much ado about nothing chaps, the proposal simply stops making it illegal to not show the metric equivalent of the Imperial measurement. Hardly earth shattering is it?

In itself, no it's not earth shattering...however, the fact the proposal has even been made is far more concerning given it's a small demonstration of what is basically jingoism aimed at a certain demographic, those who felt Brexit was the panacea they had prayed for and then came the reality. You have to keep this demographic suitably fed after all.

However, it gets, not unexpectedly, worse. See the bit about emblazing a crown symbol on a pint glass....there's no justification for this at all, other than, yep, another morsel for the Brexit faithful.

Brexit: Imperial units only part of laws revamp, says No 10 - BBC News

So it gives traders the liberty to only display measures in imperial. What is this other than a childish and regressive step which will disadvantage those consumers unfamiliar with that measuring system? That would be the ever-increasing proportion of the population brought up with metric. Who is this sweeping patriotic rollback meant impress other than twits with their knickers in a twist?

Is this the level of Brexit bonus which we can expect? I‘m sighing in despair at the pettiness and stupidity, not relief at new-found liberty.

I seem to remember being told that after Brexit the new Britain would be more dynamic and outward facing.
This seems to be more introverted and regressive.

Ah.. yes. See what you are getting at.
HMS Queen Elizabeth is making speed for the South China Sea along with some of the nastiest kit around and in support of allies in the parish. Do have a peek.
Germany don't contribute, do'nt have and ..........are not allowed !
Msr. Macron is withdrawing Ambassadors from Australia and the USA. with rubber ducks and bath toys littering the floor of his bathroom in the Palais.
Just so pretty to watch.

A massive boost to Global Britain, almost as good as blue passports. What next? Rods, poles, perches and bushels?

In other news the French don't seem to think that we are important enough to withdraw their ambassador. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this leads up to further frustration of EU - GB/UK trade though. Another Brexit bonus!

In itself, each of these little issues can and will be laughed off by those who supported Brexit.
But together they are are all indicative of the downward path Britain has chosen to take, guided by the present government of useless self-serving [email protected]