Michael,and just who was it before her ?
because there is always someone to blame !
I would rather think about today than the past,thats gone !

I do and I also remember Ted Heath who was ok as i saw it !

Michael, you criticise Mrs. Thatcher - o.k., but I learnt at school that she was the "Iron Lady", i.e. she achieved things for the UK other countries were only dreaming of and she was a model for many other European leaders. So it seems my teachers were wrong or what?

Sorry,Michael, but I must contradict you. When I was in the UK in the 60s, conditions of living could not be compared with those in other European countries - why? Partly because you got still cheap goods from your colonies/former colonies. Now you have in Britain normal European conditions, i.e. conditions of life changed in the UK and thus - at least in my opinion - there was no longer any money available for all those benefits you had before.
Perhaps I'm wrong - but don't forget my look on Britain is that of a neutral "Third Person".
In Germany we had some years ago a "super" social system, but there was no longer any money available to pay for it - so it had to be reformed - you remember Schroeder's agenda 2010? Everybody protested, but on the whole it was necessary to boost the German economy and to create more jobs. For me, personnally, it was a catastrophe - that's true, because my pension was considerably reduced, but we are a community and I think we never should forget this.

Mac, I think there's a difference in view, but that's quite normal. World would be boring if everybody had the same opinion. However, you speak of apprentices, when I was in Scotland last year the guide told us that in the UK apprenticeship - like for instance in Germany - doesn't exist in the UK, thus untrained Polish can work as waiters etc..

Mac, How do you think the EU have effected us badly in the 70's ?

That We, The Elderly, having the greatest Skills of all time and those who 'suffered' through two world wars, fighting for a better way of life -- and failing miserably. Being brought down to this 'low standard' do Not want to wait 'Decades' ::)Some 'problems' can be rectified, quite easily -- at least to ensure a reasonable Quality of their remaining Lives!! --- Too late to think of Tomorrow!!  Action is Required Now!!  We do not need Europe!! -- There really is a world wide market!!  Most of 'OUR' commodities come from The East!!
Who Cares What happens in 50/60 years time
Nobody over 30 years of AGE!!

Mac, when I watch news on TV and they are talking about Brussels, it's often about some issue the British want to have or want to have changed. It's not true that Britain has little to say in the EU and compared to the Germans they were granted a lot of special concessions.