Future Proof Britain

| by Victor Cherubim

( January 29, 2013, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The technical and monetary world is changing so fast, that the public cannot keep track of what is happening in Britain. Comet, JJB Sports, Jessup, HMV and the 5th household name on the High Street, Blockbuster, have all collapsed. It increasingly looks like another difficult year for UK. Simultaneously, the UK is borrowing nearly £100 billion higher than expected, over the next five years as economic growth remains weak and inadequate to wipe out the record deficit racked up by the previous Labour government and the problems abroad within the Eurozone.

Growth is too weak, tax revenues still weaker. But the cost of the credit crunch crisis will have to be paid for by the present generation rather than passed on to future generations according to the Conservative-Liberal Coalition government. The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated in Davos: “We can run away from our problems or confront them, but I am determined to confront them, so that we can go on creating jobs for the people of this country.”

Britain according to reliable sources is healthier than many believe. It is no wonder why

David Cameron took on the whole of Europe when after months of procrastination, he recently pledged a straight “In/Out Referendum on Europe,” to be held after the next election and after renegotiation of Britain’s EU membership. Perhaps, he had consulted the oracle.

To many it was a bold new strategy, bolder than anyone expected, and a big gamble, years before an election. It was sweet melody and delight for the Tories,” you vote for Labour and you get no say on Europe” agony for Labour. At one stroke, he called off the bluff of UKIP threat and exploited the discomfort of Europe. It was the second political initiative, with the magic of a referendum that Cameron has taken within months, the first offering Scotland a Yes or No Vote on staying within the United Kingdom.

The momentum is on. The high speed rail link across Britain, is to be built by 2020, cutting

journey times to Birmingham to 49 mins. and from there to Manchester to a further 49 mins. and to Leeds to 1 hr.22 min from London, a saving of nearly one hour. This new £32.7 billion rail project is primarily to create jobs and rebalance the economy with trains travelling at up to 225 mph. as everyone now wonders, what is going to be pulled out of the magic hat, next.

As France says: “If Britain wants to leave Europe we’ll roll out the red carpet in 2017,” whilst initial reaction in Germany and in other parts of the EU is restrained. Ideas like “competitiveness” “flexibility” and “democratic accountability” expressed by Cameron may well be soothing to German ears, but doubtful, at the expense of France. The “economic and market based principle rather than political union” may be welcomed also by Sweden, Finland and Netherlands, among the 27 EU nations, but it is too early to say much.

Future Proof Plans - is it all rhetoric or is it real?

What we know is that Britain is and has always been a nation forefront in the “science of imagination,” It plans are often “future proof.” Its colonial history could teach us a thing or two about Britain. Before we in Sri Lanka, found that it had milked our tea and creamed us, it left us quietly, free to fight among ourselves, a habit which has not left us.

Britain was always “In” Europe, also never “Out” of the Commonwealth. It was an Island, but also wanted to be part of the Mainland of Europe. This was not ambivalence, it was diplomacy.

With Russian oligarchs and Chinese businessmen, both vying investors and ploughing in

approx. £65 billion into their British bank accounts, the Pound is a very much sought after as currency in world trade. United States too has much of its “political capital” in Britain today – an added bonus.

With French business eager to move their “capital investment” to a safe haven Britain, due to the imposed high taxes, many French entrepreneurs find Britain warm and welcoming with a Conservative coalition. France is just an hour or so away by Channel Tunnel. French science,

also is desperately needed in Britain, to open up the North of England, which has until now been “Dickensian” in outlook.

“The Commonwealth is a remarkable international organisation, spanning every geographical region, religion and culture.” This voluntary association of 54 independent nations appears to have reached maturity and is ripe to produce rich dividends in the future.

A new energy strategy for extraction of “Shale Gas” deposits in Canada, Australia and

South Africa has radically changed the game for natural gas market, with lower prices for households, businesses or industry. The Commonwealth thus is going to be a powerhouse of the future and Britain no doubt wants to benefit from it, finding new customers both at home and abroad to extract the greatest value. Britain’s technical know-how is also a great asset with a 50 year deal with Ukraine, signed by Shell for its exploitation.

Sri Lanka can play a significant role in “Future Proof Britain,” by our astute management at the CHOGM in Colombo from 15 -17 November 2013, an opportunity of a lifetime.