David Dodwell’s use of the “little Englander” slur three times over January and December was revealing, as was his description of “children” voters in the UK’s June 2016 Brexit referendum. Then, he joined the naysayers in the Treasury, Confederation of British Industry, Bank of England, multinationals and Europhiles who forecast catastrophe, recession, penal taxation, job losses and worse. I’m reminded of Private Frazer’s “We’re doomed” (from the UK sitcom classic Dad’s Army).
Now Mr Dodwell self-congratulates on his foresight. But, despite Brexit, UK unemployment is at 4 per cent, comparable with Germany, less than the EU average and less than half that of France. UK demand for staff is high and wages are rising. The UK economy is growing faster than the euro zone. UK manufacturing PMI is greater than Germany, France and EU. Germany and Italy are in recession, dragging the EU thence. French rioters destroy their economy; UK exports increase routinely.
UK GDP growth is greater than Germany and France. Westminster has reduced taxes. Even the snowdrops are early in bloom. Mr Dodwell warns he writes from his Hong Kong point of view. From the UK, Mr Dodwell’s and Private Frazer’s brands of optimism are equally laughable.
Iain McLeod, Fife