The City and the Army
I was under the impression that the government was desperately trying to increase the size and power of our armed forces. But the latest rumours are that the long awaited changes will mean yet another cut to the army, down from 72,000 to 60,000.
It is hard to overemphasis how dangerous and stupid this is, there is a war in Europe going on which shows, only too clearly, that having your forces ready from day one is essential.
Why then would the government be thinking of doing this?
Quite simply it is running out of money, and is unwilling or incapable of doing what is necessary to make more money. Only this morning the Daily Telegraph has a front page story about how the City os losing out to other European rivals.
You might be surprised that this is nothing to do with Brexit but is due to over-regulation and red tape; much of it inherited from Gordon Brown. Remember him, from 13 years ago?
Strange that the sclerotic, rule bound, lazy, slave states of the EU seem to be attracting business from the sleek, fit, efficient and ruthless City of London, very strange.
But every job that goes, or does not come to London is lost tax revenue. Every firm that moves or does not come to London means less tax revenue. Given wages and profits in the City that means an awful lot of money.
Money that we could use to defend the country. If we had it.
Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.