The problem with UK Politics
UK Politics is dominated by condescending attitudes to human capital
Published: Saturday, Jun 29, 2024 Last modified: Wednesday, Oct 2, 2024
British history looks like:
- 16-17th century: British Empire, outward looking
- 18-19th century: Industrial Revolution, British Empire at its peak, Abolition of Slavery
- 20th century: World Wars, Empire disbanded, NHS, inwards looking
The country will hold an election on the 4th of July with:
- higher taxation than ever
- a failing NHS
- a failed immigration process
Human capital
After living in Singapore for more than a decade, one clear difference to me is how the UK views human capital. Singapore brings in foreign talent to fill in low paid jobs, lifting quality of life/infrastructure and in the UK this is almost unthinkable. For many “progressive” Brits, this is akin to “slavery”.
In Singapore if an illegal immigrant is caught, they are deported. In the UK, they are given accommodation, whilst they are put in a costly backlog. These benefits are not a deterrent to small boat arrivals.
To simplify Singapore system, there are two tiers of foreign workers making up the workforce:
- Work permit holders - your domestic helpers, construction workers, childcare assistants, cleaners ~1 million of a ~6 million population
- Employment pass holders - your professionals, managers, executives - about 200k
In Singapore if a work permit holder loses their job, they have 30 days to find a new job or leave Singapore.
In Singapore if a work permit holder gets sick, employers are responsible for their medical bills. If the employer doesn’t support the worker, the worker needs to leave home.
In Singapore if a work permit holder gets pregnant, they fail a health check and they need to leave.
UK readers will be shocked by the above, though this is how Singapore is successful.
Many condescending British people will cry human rights or “slavery!”, but the UK is enslaving its own people and economy, by not managing human capital. They forget that well managed foreign workers can lift the quality of life for everyone, themselves included!
Shackled
The UK’s fiscal policy is one of ruin. Productive employees are taxed upto 60%. Brits with less opportunities will think it’s not worthwhile to work and claim benefits. Taxes are spent on the NHS, subsidies and benefits, without vision of how to make it sustainable.
The future
The Labour party is bound to be elected this year. The UK will get worse since their plan doesn’t address costly fundamental issues. Labour will make matters worse by fixing “tax avoidance” and increasing taxes, without checking expenditure.
In four years, the best we can hope for is a straight talking far right leader to take power and actually address the issues and deport people. A future of extremes and turmoil which I am not looking forward to.