British politics in 1936
I found a copy of (what I subsequently know to be) a 1936 classic on European politics, "Inside Europe", by John Gunther.It has some interesting facts/quotes
Only 40,000 of London's 8 million inhabitants owned any land, whilst 20 men owned the vast majority, with one peer owning 270 acres in the West End.
There are 100,000 men and woman with incomes of over £2,000 (£104,000 today), whilst 18 million have incomes under £250 a year (£13,000).
"Geography has produced some magnifcent provincialism, Two or three winters ago a heavy storm completely blocked traffic across the Channel. "CONTINENT ISOLATED", the newspaper posters couldn't help saying"
"Britain is the richest country in Europe, it has £87 per capita in England, as against, for instance, £46 in Germany, £43 in France and £28 in Italy"
"A diplomat friend of mine said, 'England is the most dangerous country in the world because it is the only one capable of going to war on behalf of another country'".
"Even the poorest of the poor are loyal. Vistors from abroad to Tyneside of Durham are incredulous that poverty of such miserable proportions does not produce revolution.."
"The instruments of domination by the ruling class are several...the Admirality, which is a law unto itself...the Bank 'a most peculiar institution'...the public school...the country house...newspapers...but little attention is paid to Lords Rothmere and Beaverbrook...the civil service"
"London...the ugliest and most uncomfortable city in the world"
"The Tories...have the practice of lassoing the best brains in England"
posted by Matthew @ 10/10/2004 06:12:00 PM
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