Being British

British and Canadian. It works great flying into Manchester on our Canadian passports, as the International line is always far smaller then the British line.

Jeez i love Canada!
I think it's great that when you fly to Canada, there are millions of brits, and when you fly back... there's still millions of brits, nobody has a reason to come here other than business or family :P

No. I buy from wherever is either the better quality or cheaper depending on my needs at the time. If 'they' want me to buy British, then 'they' need to make it the preferred option.

[Sid Squid]

Whenever reasonably possible, I always look for British produce in the shops for instance I and would prefer to buy that.

Food-wise I don't see the point in buying things that have been flown in, not solely for supporting British economy but I just don't have much call for needing lychees from far off places on december 23rd.

In terms of furniture, materials and work, I prefer to source things from my house from all over the world - floor from china, bath from czech republic, doors and furniture from germany... just because I have rarely seen a country with such astoundingly poor build quality in simple things such as England. I also prefer Europeans to do the work around my house, then I know at least what I am getting is of a high enough standard.

Originally Posted by dissuade

Food-wise I don't see the point in buying things that have been flown in, not solely for supporting British economy but I just don't have much call for needing lychees from far off places on december 23rd.

In terms of furniture, materials and work, I prefer to source things from my house from all over the world - floor from china, bath from czech republic, doors and furniture from germany... just because I have rarely seen a country with such astoundingly poor build quality in simple things such as England. I also prefer Europeans to do the work around my house, then I know at least what I am getting is of a high enough standard.

Not a team player

Originally Posted by Lozzo

Only some of the twins are made in Thailand

According to Mr Bloor all the frames are made in Thailand, as well as many other parts. They are then assembled in Hinckley. John Bloor is one of our customers, we delivered their network at their factory in Thailand and Hinckley recently so I've managed to have a good ol chinwag with him.

They do make the cranks, camshafts, crank cases here (as well as in Germany) though.

[timwilky]

The problem with buying British is that we do not make anything any more.

We had a customer who from bitter experience did not want a French manufactured generator. (about 40 million quids worth), he wanted what we had sold him in the past one manufactured in Stafford.

We had to tell him Stafford does not manufacture full generators any more. Just some of the bits. Very disappointed he then started talking to our competitors in Japan and the States.

Personally I find it difficult not to buy foreign goods masquerading as British. Where does your Dyson vac come from, the nice Pure DAB radios etc.

My Dell monitor in front of me is manufactured in China, so is the keyboard I am typing on etc.

Where possible I do buy British produced food, and more importantly from local farmers. But I do object to the ridiculous prices the super markets charge when you know the farm gate price.

One problem I know of is that when selling high value projects into China (For instance a nuclear power station). You have to enter into technology transfer agreements. I.E. give them the ability to produce their own in the future. You therefore have to hope your own R&D will advance sufficiently to ensure what you have given them is the last generation technology and not the ability to undercut you on future global projects. India is now the worlds biggest manufacturer of forgings etc. Their metallurgy is top class. Yet they are still capable of producing cheap crap as well if that is what you require.

I make no preference...

Originally Posted by Ed

Not a team player

but what is the point in settling for less only to keep the lazy sods in your country in business when people who do it better elsewhere deserve your custom more?