Hi there

I've recently joined - looking forward to contributing!

I am British, politically consider myself centre-right (although that covers most political groups in Britain!), late twenties, male, a mixture of Scandinavian / Celtic ethnicity (so, as about as white as it is possible to be!)

In favour of social libertarianism - (again, a fairly common view point in Britain - 'do what you like, just don't bother me with it!' )
Economically probably more in favour of 'right wing' economics - i.e. deregulation, open competition, low taxation - but also believe that the state has a duty to ensure that all citizens have equality in opportunity - so should provide good public primary and secondary education etc.
I'm also broadly in favour of small government, which is more unusual in Britain, where people tend to expect the government to deal with problems ('thats what we pay 'em for'!) - and indeed the UK has one of the most centralised and largest governments in the Western world.

I live in London, I'm from Scotland originally - I also support Scottish independence from the UK, as I think that the original reasons for union between England & Scotland (primarily defence and because King James the 1st & 6th wanted it that way) no longer apply and that, within the EU & NATO, Scotland would do ok as a seperate country.

Of course, none of that may be of interest on a debating board that deals primarily with Amrican issues - but I've a huge interest in America and it's politics / economy etc. I've visited it a lot and enjoyed Seattle the most, mainly because it has a lot of pine trees and rain, so reminded me of growing up in the Scottish countryside....except that the Scottish countryside doesn't have a very cool temperate rainforest nearby....

So that's me!

Hi, Picadilly. Welcome! There are quite a few denizens from the UK here. To me, it's refreshing to get diverse points of view.

Welcome Picadilly!

Would agree with DaffyGrl, always refreshing to get an international perspective.

It's always good to see another libertarian join, and seeing a European libertarian is like seeing the Loch Ness Monster. You'll be in good company hear at AD, welcome.

CP

*Splutter* - Libertarianism was invented in England you know!

So I take it J.S. Mills classic work 'On Liberty' never made it to the USA then?


Seriously, thanks for the welcome everyone!

let me just say that your country has tubes and busses figured out in a way that makes me wonder if the entire new york city transit system is run by a small, centralized clique of goats, chewing on the circuitry.

I hope you've named yourself after the Piccadilly line in particular.

Please tell us how you do it.

Well....by raising taxes and spending a lot more money on public transport is the quick answer!

Of course, I tend to measure public transport by Swiss or French standards (where they spend a LOT of money on public transport) - so am constantly disappointed when buses turn up 5 minutes late or I can't find a seat on the train...

I always thought that the NY system was ok - admittedly I did try catching the tube to JFK (well Jamaica to get the air train I think) and it took half an hour longer than I was expecting, but everyone seemed to be friendly.....

Actually, I went for the tacky but loveable Picadilly Circus, which has (drumroll) 'The World's Widest Billboard' (gasp). It's true. It's a very wide billboard.