Does the commonwealth still exist, in real terms ? Is the queen still the boss of it? Didn't Australia vote to be independent of something connected with it or us or the queen? And hasn't new Zealand recently done something similar? Is India still in it? I now realise I've been so focused on where we sit in the eu, I've lost sight of everything else. I must do some reading.
On the world stage, we sit roughly at the tip of the blue arrow: In some ways, it is a surprise that our cash is not made by Andrex (although there is time yet!)
There's a poem about that (well, the area your blue arrow sits) and, to give a synopsis, if the "blue arrow" goes on strike ... the rest is cream crackered In other words: never under estimate the importance of (euphemism alert!) Our Souls
I've heard it as a story but not as a poem. Yes, the brain and the "our soul" have an argument about who is in overall charge. The brain decides to demonstrate superiority by going on strike, in an attempt to prove that chaos results without it. Sure, mistakes are made, but the body feels fine. Then the other end goes on strike. In a very short time, the whole body is crippled with pain and the brain can't function properly. Ultimately the brain concedes defeat, other end goes back to work, and within a very short time. The whole body is once again at ease.
You've got it @clueless1 Hmm, thought it was a poem when I first heard it, but, you may well be right. Either way, the result was the same Save Our Souls!
I did once hear a story about a politician that went to a dentist to get a set of false teeth fitted to the place the blue arrow pointed. Apparently, the lack of teeth there prevented him talking...
Without looking up the actual details this is what I seem to remember:- (not a very good premise when I'm already moaning that we don't have enough info about In/Out ) Australia had a referendum (it's compulsory to vote in Australia on referendums and national elections) at the end of the last century (makes it sound even longer ago ) to become a republic and the motion was defeated. New Zealand hasn't voted on the subject but are voting on whether to change their flag. It's a double referendum vote and the first one (a few months ago) was to decide on which of a number of flags should be considered. The second vote is due very soon and is to decide whether to actually change the flag. Apparently there wasn't a great deal of enthusiasm for the referendum (so my New Zealand friends tell me). India is a Democratic Republic All three are members of the Commonwealth and have the Queen as Head of State.
Yes Silverspoon is made from British sugar beat where it's refined at Bury St Edmunds, they do have other factory around East side of the country for producing the sugar from the sugar beat and where the sugar beat factorys are there is other factory near by using the stream and other waste bit from the producion
Tate & Lyle sugar is 'Fairtrade', whilst UK produced sugar is not, does that mean UK Beet producers don't get paid fair prices?
Good question. Double standards, methinks Is anything in this country up for being classified as 'Fairtrade' and if not, why not?
The point of "Fairtrade" was that third world farmers got a fair deal in terms of price and terms and the workers conditions are of a certain standard. It is largely (although not exclusively) centred around small scale farmers. Fairtrade coffee license however is to the best of my knowledge only issued to small scale plantations. Maybe cocoa as well but don't quote me on that. Large scale banana plantations are certified to ensure the workers rights and conditions. A good idea in principle but I do wonder if standards are being maintained as it becomes ever larger although I have no reason (other than cynicism) to think this. There was talk a few years ago about small UK farmers maybe being allowed in but it came to nowt. There are some very good fairtrade coffees available and Oxfam in particular stock some excellent blends (and drinking chocolate).
There was a few farmers talking about the CO OP being fairtrade and not paying a good price to them for thery milk, haven't any more since
The CoOp is not Fairtrade certified, it has just made a pledge to stock a certain percentage of Fairtrade products. Large retailers are not Freetrade certified.
If I remember rightly the Co-op started in Rochdale around the 1840's with the idea of being for the people, having low prices, and introducing the idea of dividends from the profits. To be honest, I think they have lost their way somewhat over the 140 years or so that they've been in existence, with Store prices for goods being more expensive than some other Retailers and I don't believe their Banks are renown for customer service.
