tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post116231700713679641..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Bruce Kent Doesn't Know His Fridge From His FlagIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-35911069731995729802008-03-03T16:20:00.000+00:002008-03-03T16:20:00.000+00:00dracula livesdracula livesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162567171753459022006-11-03T15:19:00.000+00:002006-11-03T15:19:00.000+00:00Perhaps we've got a cultural disconnect here, but ...Perhaps we've got a cultural disconnect here, but I cannot help wondering what you fellows keep in your Smeg fridge? And why you need one so large?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162557125305574942006-11-03T12:32:00.000+00:002006-11-03T12:32:00.000+00:00What a kick ass fridge.What a kick ass fridge.James Maskellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15441611588943798565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162484543244642462006-11-02T16:22:00.000+00:002006-11-02T16:22:00.000+00:00Perhaps Blair should have sent Kent as an envoy to...Perhaps Blair should have sent Kent as an envoy to Korea instead of Prescott.Sir-C4'https://www.blogger.com/profile/03917709983378003032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162482437450961512006-11-02T15:47:00.000+00:002006-11-02T15:47:00.000+00:00'Monsigneur'? Actually it's Monsignor. And actuall...'Monsigneur'? Actually it's Monsignor. And actually: he's not, having jumped/been pushed by that well known supporter of the Soviets, the Catholic Church, some 16 or more years ago.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162460189980041432006-11-02T09:36:00.000+00:002006-11-02T09:36:00.000+00:00Chuck - yes absolutely right. That's called globa...Chuck - yes absolutely right. That's called globalisation as Gary Powell refers to. So what if GDA source components globally, so does everyone else! Another example Apple iPods are designed in Califonia by a Brit, maufactured in China containing software written in California, a hard (of flash) disk sourced from either Japan or Korea (dependant on model) and glossy casing maufactured in Japan (again dependant on model). My bank is one of Apple's financiers.<BR/>The maufacturing value chain you refer to from R&D to finished goods inc. components barely exists anymore. Your general point is a valid one about the reduction in our manufacturing base. Thats a consequence of glabalisation where commoditised maufacturing moves to lower cost locations. Exactly the same process is now happening in services e.g. cost centres, IT development, Banking back offices etc. Surely that's good for the economy. It's why our economic growth and growth in employment have been far greater than that of Europe. Nothing to do with Brown.AnyonebutBlairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04904102375327980323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162452353345956042006-11-02T07:25:00.000+00:002006-11-02T07:25:00.000+00:00Loads of bitchy remarks here. Is "Iain Dale" losin...Loads of bitchy remarks here. Is "Iain Dale" losing it's status as a respected Blog?<BR/><BR/>Ladies and Gentlemen, we are all here to have a swipe at Bruce Kent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162448980428655532006-11-02T06:29:00.000+00:002006-11-02T06:29:00.000+00:00From an american Who's a little puzzled by the ref...From an american Who's a little puzzled by the references to a 'Union Flag' And a 'British Flag'. I thought they were pretty much one and the same.<BR/><BR/>Respecfully,<BR/><BR/>Puzzled in NebraskaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162431827223612382006-11-02T01:43:00.000+00:002006-11-02T01:43:00.000+00:00Try as I might it seems that some just dont get th...Try as I might it seems that some just dont get this globleisation thingy.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps some would be happier if we did everything here. <BR/><BR/>So you want to pay on top of your 400% council tax rises enviromental taxes and duties on just about everything you also want to pay £25 for a tin opener £4000 for a crap car stereo £100000 for a small even more crap car etc, do you?<BR/><BR/>There is nothing wrong with producing anything goods or service, small or large, complicated or simple as long as you can pay competitive wages your overheads and still make a profit. <BR/><BR/>Making the whole product is normaly only good for government strategic reasons it makes no sense in business unless you have megleomatic tendancies and want to go bust.<BR/><BR/>Also business neads customers if the rest of the world dont have any money because you dont allow them something to do they cant buy your products. Why sell to only 60 million when you could potentialy sell to the whole world?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162413240118209062006-11-01T20:34:00.000+00:002006-11-01T20:34:00.000+00:00Anyonebutblair 11:07:Well if you take a closer loo...Anyonebutblair 11:07:<BR/><BR/>Well if you take a closer look at (for example) Hotpoint's 'manufacturing' you'll understand that it is actually 'assembling' components sourced from all over the world. So maybe we should define what is meant by 'manufacturing'.<BR/><BR/>What it means to me is carrying out the whole process - including production of all components and the R & D necessary so to do.<BR/><BR/>Actually BAE mostly assembles and does litle real manufacturing. Smiths sources most of its components from outside the UK. And it seems fairly unlikely that wings will be able to fly without the rest of the aircraft, including fuselage, engines, avionics etc etc.<BR/><BR/>Let's also recognise the dramatic shift away from manufacturing (35% and falling rapidly) to 'service' industries, which themselves are rapidly being 'outsourced' to India etc. Look at the call-centre phenomenon. The problem with these industries is that they do not even have capital assets. Cheap labour can be applied to even the most sophisticated operations. Where does that leave our children?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162408964162095892006-11-01T19:22:00.000+00:002006-11-01T19:22:00.000+00:00AnonymousCould you explane on what you base your c...Anonymous<BR/>Could you explane on what you base your claim that the City has made a fortune destroying British industry. It is clear to me that the only infomation you base your idears on are socialist workers propergander leaflets. You obviously dont have the slightest idear what you are talking about. People that do would just laugh at you, if your ignorence was not responsible for most of the still exsisting death producing poverty in the world.<BR/><BR/>BTW if PFIs are such a good idear try putting your own money where your mouth is. I suspect that anyone with your understanding of capitalism does not have any cash left to invest in anything anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162408159096564082006-11-01T19:09:00.000+00:002006-11-01T19:09:00.000+00:00AnyonebutblairShould read "anything but socialism,...Anyonebutblair<BR/>Should read "anything but socialism," but a cool name anyway,<BR/><BR/>You are right manufacturing industry still happens here and much more of it then the British public seem to realise.<BR/><BR/>I am a British manufactuer and have a very overfull order book. This mainly because my domestic competition has almost died and the Chinese are getting more expensive and already going onto more high margin products.<BR/><BR/>Although I produce compleat finished goods, many British manufacturers in this modern day globle market only produce a small part of the evential product. This therefore has no brand name so the public are unaware that many bitts of foreign products are made in Britain. This also applies to British brand names that are marketed and financed all over the world. <BR/><BR/>Financing and marketing the worlds commerce is highly profitable, and the British are still very good at it. We could in theory make enough national wealth to support the whole of the British econemy just from the city of London. That is if the likes of Bruce Kent stopped doing their best to bugger it all up.<BR/><BR/>One very good thing about modern manufacturing is that WHEN a recession is happening here it does not mean that you can suddenly end up with virtualy no demand.<BR/><BR/>Globleisation works, has always worked and for the benifit of everyone. Which is why it is still expanding, and has been doing so on and off for over 3.5 thousand years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162406392124174532006-11-01T18:39:00.000+00:002006-11-01T18:39:00.000+00:00I will believe you Iain when I hear that Monsigneu...I will believe you Iain when I hear that Monsigneur Kent has put a fridge up a pole!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162405052825338662006-11-01T18:17:00.000+00:002006-11-01T18:17:00.000+00:00This is much funnier:IF STELLA McCARTNEY WERE TO R...This is much funnier:<BR/><BR/>IF STELLA McCARTNEY WERE TO REWRITE 'YESTERDAY'... <BR/><BR/>http://stella.cf.huffingtonpost.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162400283525159642006-11-01T16:58:00.000+00:002006-11-01T16:58:00.000+00:00Anonymous 3.22. We still make white goods (Hotpoi...Anonymous 3.22. We still make white goods (Hotpoint - see my earlier post), although I accept that most are made outside the UK (primarly Italy & Germany). Good to get our facts right though.<BR/>I'm not sure the city ever destroyed british industry, only in the swivel eyed ravings of trade unionists ranting on about "short term investment decisions". Er, wasn't it our high cost base, poor productivity, low education and skills and high pound making our exports uneconomic. The legacy of crappy, statist government. Basically the same issues as the EU is grappling with now about 20years after we did.<BR/>The city turning it's attention to the public sector and PFI. The public sector - no not quite sure how the city is interested in this. Are you not confusing the city with McKinsey (and other consultancies) who certainly make bucket loads from the public sector. PFI er yes. This is a major scandal, and basically we have all been ripped off to line the pockets of banks, private equity houses and accountants. The scale of money, you would not believe. We have basically securitised future tax revenues for Brown to balance his books. Prudent?AnyonebutBlairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04904102375327980323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162397534951890032006-11-01T16:12:00.000+00:002006-11-01T16:12:00.000+00:00Quite typical comments, and the most likely explan...Quite typical comments, and the most likely explanation why a lot of people would find this fridge idiotic.<BR/><BR/>You cannot even see the irony of a British flag on an italian product !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162394548376427552006-11-01T15:22:00.000+00:002006-11-01T15:22:00.000+00:00We don't make 'white goods' and have not done so f...<I>We don't make 'white goods' and have not done so for decades</I><BR/><BR/>Having made a fortune out of destroying British Industry, The City has turned its attentions to the public sector and PFIAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162389600431200942006-11-01T14:00:00.000+00:002006-11-01T14:00:00.000+00:00It seems typical of most of the far left who even ...It seems typical of most of the far left who even refuse to wear poppies. They don't seem to realise the contradiction between this and spending most of their time battling fascists and Nazis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162389437010018292006-11-01T13:57:00.000+00:002006-11-01T13:57:00.000+00:00I was a memeber of CND at school . I always think ...I was a memeber of CND at school . I always think of this when I begin to pontificate about the feckless and irresponsible behaviour of the young .I `ve chnaged my views considerabubbly since.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162387376560859292006-11-01T13:22:00.000+00:002006-11-01T13:22:00.000+00:00It's worse than that.I just heard that the EU, whi...It's worse than that.I just heard that the EU, while in the process of banning the red ensign and replacing it with the EU flag, is now making all of Britain's seas EU waters, and under its control.<BR/>This “common European maritime space” will mean crossing the English Channel will no longer be considered an international trip, since passengers would never leave EU waters. Besides sacrificing our legal heritage and air space, now Britain has to forfeit all claim to her most dear possession. What Napoleon and Hitler couldn't take, Britain's leaders will no doubt willingly handover. We saw it with the attempted betrayal of Gibraltar, afterall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162381909266767572006-11-01T11:51:00.000+00:002006-11-01T11:51:00.000+00:00Utterly OT, but don't you think you'd better expai...Utterly OT, but don't you think you'd better expain your appearance in <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFVN2thBHck" REL="nofollow">this?</A> On the one hand, best Halloween costume ever! On the other hand, why were you tormenting that poor woman?<BR/><BR/>Also, I think you should use a different makeup artist for your television appearances.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162381749512832302006-11-01T11:49:00.000+00:002006-11-01T11:49:00.000+00:00I'd asssumed it meant you were all members of The ...I'd asssumed it meant you were all members of The Jam fan club. Doesn't it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162381119902892112006-11-01T11:38:00.000+00:002006-11-01T11:38:00.000+00:00Careful Iain, you'll have all your English Democra...Careful Iain, you'll have all your English Democrats mates accusing you of being an anti-English racist for daring to show the union flag.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162379255392699722006-11-01T11:07:00.000+00:002006-11-01T11:07:00.000+00:00ChuckHow about GDA (known to you and I as Hotpoint...Chuck<BR/>How about GDA (known to you and I as Hotpoint). They make their fridges in er, Peterborough<BR/>About 65% of our economy is service industry (led by Finanical Services), but 35% of our economy is manufacturing. Our manufacturing base contrary to throw-away comments like yours is still very significant. For example you list planes as something we don't make. Well BAE Systems is the worlds 3rd largest defence contractor and makes military aircraft around Preston. It makes the wings for all Airbuses in Farnborough and Smiths makes the avoinics packs for both Boeing and AirbusAnyonebutBlairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04904102375327980323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1162374831473083122006-11-01T09:53:00.000+00:002006-11-01T09:53:00.000+00:00Anon 9.33: "Shame SMEG are Italian - true patriots...Anon 9.33: <BR/><BR/>"Shame SMEG are Italian - true patriots might prefer a more patriotic provider".<BR/><BR/>OK, name one.<BR/><BR/>We don't make 'white goods' and have not done so for decades. Nor do we manufacture most things. Car industry, motorcycles, buses, trucks, trains, planes, all electronics, etc etc. Almost everything is now made abroad, be it Europe, Asia and now increasingly China and India.<BR/><BR/>More's the pity...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com