British GDP to fall below Italy's by next year

[sasguru]

Well below France now and forecast to decline further.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle5299162.ece

"Decline when it comes is swift and inexorable"
Plato

[DimPrawn]

CUK lefties

Thatcher's fault no doubt.

[Mich the Tester]

As if this is such a problem. Italy is a rich country. The south is poor because it’s corrupt and it sucks finances out of the north and makes the whole lot look a bit shabby, but northern Italy is one of Europe’s richest economies; so rich in fact that it can feed another region it's own size while still maintaining a good standard of living. Just being a little bit less rich than people from Turin or Bologna doesn’t make anyone poor.

[DiscoStu]

I blame Arthur Scargill.

[sasguru]

I blame Arthur Scargill, Maggie Thatcher, all the shop stewards in British Leyland, all the managers in British Leyland, and Bevin, amongst others.

[EternalOptimist]

I blame Arthur Scargill, Maggie Thatcher, all the shop stewards in British Leyland, all the managers in British Leyland, and Bevin, amongst others.

I think Churchill and Alfred were ok though

[sasguru]

As if this is such a problem. Italy is a rich country. The south is poor because it’s corrupt and it sucks finances out of the north and makes the whole lot look a bit shabby, but northern Italy is one of Europe’s richest economies; so rich in fact that it can feed another region it's own size while still maintaining a good standard of living. Just being a little bit less rich than people from Turin or Bologna doesn’t make anyone poor.

Yes they make cars up north and their small-medium enterprises make luxury goods that are desired all around the world.
We could do that ....no wait ....

[BlasterBates]

You forgot MacMillain, Wilson and Winston Churchhill.

In fact the downhill slide started with King John.

[Mich the Tester]

Yes they make cars up north and their small-medium enterprises make luxury goods that are desired all around the world.
We could do that ....no wait ....

Indeed; they have a strong manufacturing base. Add to that, Fiat freed themselves from GM and returned to their traditional strength of making small, efficient, stylish cars just as the oil price started shooting upwards and demand for gas guzzlers fell through the floor. This year they've sold so many pandas, 500s and Lancia Ypsilons (I don't think you have them in the UK but Italy's teeming with the things) to people who want a fun, fuel efficent runabout that they're struggling to make the things quickly enough.

[Shimano105]

returned to their traditional strength of making small, efficient, stylish cars ...a fun, fuel efficent runabout

Surely you refer to the Micra?