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> The UK budget is about £700 trillion, if I remember correctly. Almost, but the GDP of the entire world is less than 10% of £700t. You're remembering £700b,
by sago 12y ago
> The UK budget is about £700 trillion, if I remember correctly.
Almost, but the GDP of the entire world is less than 10% of £700t.
You're remembering £700b, which is roughly the UK gov't spending.
Whatever the number, a huge chunk of government spending is allocated to this bit of theatre, aimed -- as far as I can see -- at making sure the UK looks like a good ally to the US.
Anyone who thinks this has anything to do with an extradition to Sweden on sex-crime charges is a tool. The UK police don't just drop £10m on extradition compliance for one suspect.
- arethuza 12y agoOur entire defence policy since Suez has arguably been based on being an ally to the US even when it has required actions that were very unpopular with the public and extremely expensive. A few million is a rounding error in that context.
- sago 12y agoI agree. The most damning thing I heard on this was a story about the military planning in the US after 9/11. During the practice roleplaying in the state department, in advance of its diplomatic efforts, the staffer 'playing' the UK ambassador was told to say or do whatever he thought would ingratiate him the most to the US. As insulting to the UK as that is, I can't actually think of an example which would suggest they were wrong. However, on the last point, true it is a rounding error, but ten million here, ten million there, if you're not careful, after a while it will add up to real money.
- mercer 12y agoThis is one of the central themes of In The Loop, a feature film spin-off from the excellent The Thick Of It (UK TV show), and a funny and possibly pretty accurate depiction of the USA-UK relationship.