"Palmyfying " Britain

I just wondered if anyone has opinions on the amount of palms being planted everywhere. Do you think it is a good thing or bad.I have heard that there has been thousands of palms planted all over London. If we have a really bad winter(1963 style) thousands of brown dead palms will look pretty bad! The cheap makeover "entertainment" tv progs promote them and our garden centres (and Wikinsons!!)are selling cidps(canary island date palms)by the lorry load. I have four different ones in pots in my back garden but I have been interested in them since childhood. What do you think?

 

ooops..just realised this is in non gardening topics ... have placed in general gardening... but you can read it twice if you like!