By and large politics doesn't really make that much difference to ordinary people in a real democracy- and democracy is the key here because a properly functioning democracy usually produces a workable balance between all groups in society

Unfortunately what we are currently seeing is an unwillingness to accept democratic decisions by many in the UK and an unwillingness by EU politicians in particular to limit the process of democracy - and that's when it all starts getting a lot nastier and potentially a lot more sinister. Attitudes become more polarised in the case of the former and politicians become a lot more blasé in the case of the latter.

The whole situation in the UK has become a volatile mess, and that is being replicated throughout Europe and the EU where the combination of a central legislative authority that can over rule the governing national interest has led to a free for all where all sorts of unworkable projects and fanciful schemes are set it stone and distorted to ludicrous degrees. Common sense is bring forced to take a back seat to political correctness, vested interests and human rights directives (promoted and propagated as "progress") and it is all going to result in one big and almighty shambles (and that will impact you )

Then I thought, it doesn't matter who is in power, hung parliament or not, it makes no difference to me or anyone I know.

Having wealth is a wonderful 'insulator' from the problems of the real world Big Nev, as I'm sure you are aware from this statement in your OP.

Have to agree wholeheartedly with much of this article regarding democracy in its current UK form

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/artic ... oters.html

Not one of my daily reads, Ilex, but I have just followed your link.
An excellent, thought-provoking description which, I think, ALL should read.
It puts into perspective the futility & disruption of protest ....
as opposed to requiring those in power (of all parties) to actually do their duty on behalf of the entire population (instead of just 'lining their own little pockets').

Having wealth is a wonderful 'insulator' from the problems of the real world Big Nev, as I'm sure you are aware from this statement in your OP.

Are you saying I'm wealthy?

Hi Big Nev,

Let's review the details you provided & see the impression it creates;

1. Owner of a house free from a mortgage, definitely an asset.
2. Owner of an apartment you claim to be a millstone, but is viewed as an asset, however much it has depreciated. Current value undeclared, but let's assume not less than say £60,000?
3. Receiving a pension "slightly above the threshold to pay tax", not too shabby!
4. Assets paid for "after 30 years of hard work", hardly an above average length of time. Im guessing you retired in early middle age?
5. Rainy-day fund declared of £10,000 in cash. Not stated, but assumed this is attracting interest?
6. Sufficient income to be able to afford declared recent trip to America, hardly a cheap option.

So compared to the average Joe, in answer to your question Big Nev, I'd say you were relatively wealthy IMHO.

Let's review the details you provided & see the impression it creates;

The impression changes Big Nev, when you clarify the details as you have just done.
e.g You actually worked for 43 years, not 30!

Maybe working in Saudi got that out of my system.