No I don't expect you to believe me, Dave. Its not a question of belief. I just explained what I saw happen. Its not an abstract concept. I do not wish to persuade you (convert you like rabid preacher)- just explain my thoughts on the matter.

To repair the damage done by the EU (even to just our marine environment) will take decades - and much more morally upright politicians than are presently in evidence.. But the the longest journey starts with one step.

I was born 1949 . I remember 60's, 70's and indeed the 1950's with clarity.

I remember the Streets of London gang round Trafalgar Square, but the other places I lived in, London, Birmingham, Tamworth, Grantham, Boston - Lincs - were pretty much free of beggars - prior to Thatcher taking a wild pleasure in applyine EU regulations to our industry and closing down 28% of manufacturing industry in 1980-81.

FRom then on - you wouldn't couldn't find a town in England without beggars. The very institution of Big Issue in that era is testimony to the veracity of my recollection.

I'm sorry if you were living in some place twinned with New Delhi - but beggars were a rarity in this country pre THatcher for most of us.