I spoke with many people in Aachen who all appeared relatively optimistic for the German economy and seemed somewhat bemused at Brexit.
Aachen looks far more prosperous to me than most British towns. As you say, we are lied to by our politicians on a daily basis. Fact is, they have screwed things up — BIG TIME — and they have no idea how to get us out of the hole they have dug for us. Like you, Michael, I wish we were more like Germany. Everything about Germany is generally better: it's more prosperous; it's cleaner; it's more efficient; people are generally better educated; and on the whole, its architecture is far more interesting and decorative. And much else besides. But two things grieve me greatly: under Thatcher, our manufacturing sector was decimated; and so much of what was valuable was sold off to foreigners, leaving us Brits with the dregs. All for short-term gain. Britain's decline, which started around the time of the First World War has continued apace ever since. Brexit, of course, has only accelerated the process. Britain is a shadow of its former self. – © Mark Alexander
