""but the UK's own demise was overseen by pseudo-Thatcherite wonks Blair and Brown - but largely supported by the Tories except for the last 18 months before the election).""

Way before the collapse, not 18 months before the election, the Tories were issuing vociferous warnings to Brown about the dangers of letting the bankers run wild. That is recorded fact.

I apologise if you thought that I was in any way calling you a liar.

That post by me was a direct response to the usual heavily biased and nasty response from Richard Bridge which is the norm in his treatment of anybody who doesn't believe in his unique brand of Champagne Socialism. It was emphatically not directed at any other member.

If any such see themselves in that comment it is a reflection of their own doubt, not mine.

Don T.