“Yes, it has lots of crime, you must be careful, it’s probably not a good idea to go for a run after dark, the tube is grim, but it’s still a great city, and like any other city, it has its problems”. – Now I think an ugly corner has been turned in London and I regret my defence.
The country has the ability and foundations to advance economically in the coming decades, but this will require political leadership that understands how to concentrate resources, focus on key strategic objectives, and deploy power decisively.