How to make Britain ‘more like Switzerland’

Back in December 2011 David Cameron used Britain’s EU veto and caused a lot of ill feeling with its EU partners for the sake of placating the ultra-right wing Eurosceptic part of his party. This was welcomed by the Eurosceptics, and one of them, Mark Reckless said on BBC Radio 4′s Today program “Now we can be more like Switzerland.” He was joined in the media many times by commentators, bloggers and newspaper reporters. Guests on BBCs late night Newsnight news program used it all the time – but strangely, only the right wing ones. The ones who fought against the AV referendum, who want Brussels to devolve power to Westminster, but who aren’t willing to devolve power to the regions. Plus a few uninformed commentators looking to fill column inches of course.

Do any of these people actually understand just now much Britain would have to change to really become more like Switzerland? I do. I live in Switzerland and can tell you, UK right wing politicians wouldn’t like it – but you might.

WRC 2011: England v France Quarter Final

Did you see the England – France Quarter Final? What happened? Was it poor selection, poor motivation, lack of discipline, lack of vision, lack of tactics, lack of strategy or what?

Monza F1 GP 2011 – Race

With Vettel on pole and winning again you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a boring race, but it was far from it – from even before the first corner! With action all the way through, Schumacher up to his old naughty tricks, Alonso giving the Tifosi something to shout about, and action, action action the race was a classic.

Monza F1 GP 2011 – BBC TV coverage

Having just lambasted ITV for their awful TV coverage of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and said that the BBC have the best sports TV coverage, I’m now wishing I hadn’t been quite so profuse in my praise of the Beeb.

Rugby World Cup 2011 – ITV coverage

First time the Rugby World Championship has been on ITV, I’m watching the Scotland game and am already incredibly frustrated by the inadequate TV coverage being provided by the UK’s main Commercial TV station.

OS X Lion strategy

When I read in the run up to Apple’s Mac OS X Lion being released that it was ‘going to bring a lot of iOS features to the desktop’ my heart sank. Apple strategists are making a fundamental business error here, getting their markets and products mixed up.

Monaco 2010 GP: wheels of confusion

It was certainly a Black Sabbath for McLaren when the Monaco GP kicked off. But they weren’t the only team making a mess of things, they just seemed to have been the only ones to have suffered from their errors. Red Bull on the other hand made worse errors, but remembered one vital fact – a fact that even Martin Brundle is confused about, although DC clearly isn’t – and remembering this fact is what won Red Bull the race.

Monaco GP 2010 Qualifying: “52 billion chickens in the world”

Monte Carlo is where the wheeler-dealers hang out, and when the Formula One circus comes to town it’s difficult sometimes to tell them apart. Both packs drip with riches, glamour, and excitement as they strut their stuff in the paddock, but how much of it is show?

As Martin Brundle said,

“I know there’s 52 billion chickens in the world, but I don’t know the answer to that question!”

The thing with Formula One is, there’s no hiding place – not even in secretive Monte Carlo. Once the cars are on the track, the stars take their clothes off and parade in front of the crowds…

2011 China GP – race

What happened to the BBC1 F1 broadcast team today? They all acted like they were on something. No wise cracks about them being on Telly! Jake Humphrey was all over the place, and quite manic, especially on the grid walk. Even more manic in the commentary box were Martin Brundle and David Coulthard, talking far too fast. And then there was Lee McKenzie, asking some really stupid questions – and avoiding the big one to Button. It wasn’t restricted to the BBC F1 team though, even the official FIA post race interviewer was bonkers! He asked more questions of the man who finished second than he did of the winner. I know the Chinese air is a bit polluted, but to have effects such as these it must be pretty thick with stimulants! I won’t mention Jenson’s little brainstorm in the pits…

2011 F1 China GP – Qualifying

Well, this was a strange one! But at least the TV commentary by Martin Brundle and David Coulthard was faultless today. More than can be said for quite a few of the Teams’ qualifying strategies. Quali 2 was appallingly badly managed by quite a few teams.