Dawn Butler makes a powerful point about inherited debts being owed by the modern generation. I'd like to thank her for this.
It today's terms freeing the slaves cost around £17Billion (using GDP values) on top of which Royal Navy deployments for the 60 years or so they were active in hunting down the slaves ships and disrupting the slave trade cost the UK another £30Billion to £50Billion at today's value (again using GDP values).
Using the figures above we get a sum of between £47Billion and £67Billion that Black Britains and Black people from the former Empire owe the UK Treasury. And this is before any calculation is considered for the compensation to the families of the 17,000 sailors who died on these operations.
Having explained so cogently why this sum should be paid I look forward to @DawnButlerBrent's suggestions as to a payment plan.
We are in an abusive relationship with our own government. For years the public has been hammered by Covid lockdowns, Ukraine, the Middle East and a relentless cost-of-living crisis. All the while, Britain has been sitting on its own energy reserves. Now, with prices surging and geopolitical risk rising, the Government suddenly approves Jackdaw.
Why now?
Because reality has finally smashed through the ideology. Every country needs cheap bountiful energy. It is critical for prosperity and security.
Our government has been and is abusing us.
So we stop using fossil fuels tomorrow. How do we live? How do we grow food? Distribute it? How do we refrigerate it? Cook it? Import/export it? How do we build homes/offices/hospitals/schools? How do we light and heat them? How do we manufacture? Clothing, furniture? Pharamcuticals? Medical equipment? Run diagnostics?
What about heavy industry?
How do we make and run Cars? Trucks? Trains? Ships, Aircraft? How do we travel?
How do we operate IT? Broadband, Internet, Data Centers, Computers, Mobile Phones? Every single thing mentioned required oil or gas to make electricity.
We cannot run the world on solar and wind.
Wake up and grow up.
@UKJTI Maybe get on at the government taxing the shit out of them then!? I managed to give up 15 years ago because they were too expensive, the prices now are RIDICULOUS. So don’t blame people for finding an alternative, it’s natural.
@ZackPolanski It will make the gas that we’re all paying a fortune for anyway, cheaper (I won’t hold my breath). I would like to be able to afford to heat my home instead of walking round like a fucking Inuit. Have you heard of supply and demand? Christ!
@KelloggsUKI these new coco pops are foul, why in gods name have you changed the recipe!? I’ve just binned a new pack, won’t be eating those again. #cocopops#kelloggs
@jeremycorbyn It doesn’t mean we’re going to start using more gas, it just means it will lower the price. Maybe then I can start using my heating again. Do you not understand this?
@LabourfutureUK How about you STOP tinkering around
Find ways to cut the 3 trillion pound debt
Fund defence
Build prison places
Deport dangerous illegal immigrants
Then we might start listening 🙄