Originally Posted by headingwest

If you are grumpy in Canada there is a very good chance you will be grumpy in the UK too.

I say go for it, if for nothing else just to experience some real cheese and marvel at all the UK has to offer, like cheap car insurance.

Originally Posted by FedUpCanadian

I know far less about the UK Conservative party, but my impression is that it's far less right-wing than ours. I'm not old enough to know this first hand, but I have a general respect for Canada's Progressive Conservative tradition. The history is hard to get into a blog post, but the Conservative party of today has more to do with the Reform party, a fringe western far-right party that Stephen Harper comes from. Ontario's conservative party is still called the PCs, but they also shifted far to the right in the Mike Harris era -- this isn't the Bill Davis PC party.

At this point, the Conservative movement in Canada is much less about fiscal prudence, social cohesion, and tradition; and far more about slash-and-burn, starve-the-beast cuts and tax reductions, religious social policy, anti-intellectualism, and chasing failed American policies. That may sound over-the-top and it's certainly an oversimplification, but this line of thinking is becoming somewhat of a consensus among those who follow this stuff here. I think our left-wing tradition has been slowly fading as the country is culturally subsumed by the USA, and as the wake of the great depression becomes more of a historical footnote and less of a warning sign. Post Trudeu-era, it seems to me that the only reason the Liberals (who I might add have also shifted right in policy) continued to win was right-wing vote splitting, Quebec's progressive politics, and Conservative ineptitude, none of which are in their favour anymore.

Originally Posted by Novocastrian

The UK Conservative party has had its right wing extremist phases in the past, but now it's basically just incompetent and lead by a moron.

But go and find out for yourself.

Not at all over the top, rather a bit spot on.

BTW, I rate this thread as excellent, largely because of your articulate and reasoned posts.

Originally Posted by FedUpCanadian

Would you or someone else care to elaborate? I get the sense Birmingham is turning into somewhat of a tech centre, which is part of the reason I was considering it. I haven't been there, but don't get the sense there's quite as much going on there culturally.

Originally Posted by jimf

Politicians and their parties come and go. It would have been just as appropriate to say the following in the past:

The UK Labour party has had its left wing extremist phases in the past, but now it's basically just incompetent and lead by a lunatic.

Originally Posted by Novocastrian

I'm sorry but what's your point? The OP was admitting lack of knowledge in comparing the UK conservatives to Harper's regime. I was only trying to help.

If you want to compare, say Gordon Brown with Hugo Chavez, that's your prerogative. But not very helpful.

Originally Posted by jimf

Clearly the point is that political parties and politicans don't matter all that much whether in the UK or Canada. Cheap shots based on personal prejudices can be directed at whatever target suits personal preference.

I was referring to Brown's previous boss. Blair was clearly delusional at best and certainly a con artist - although most charming admittedly. Brown wasn't, just very very limited. I'm not a great admirer of Cameron but he doesn't need to be that good to be better than his opponents.

Originally Posted by Novocastrian

And all this is helping the OP in what way exactly?

He's been articulate in expressing his feelings (as a 21 yr old) about his future prospects in Canada and is considering the UK as an alternative.

At the risk of triggering Vader's apparent auto-alert to the local threat of strength in the Force, I say again... go for it young Jedi.

Originally Posted by headingwest

If you are grumpy in Canada there is a very good chance you will be grumpy in the UK too.

I say go for it, if for nothing else just to experience some real cheese and marvel at all the UK has to offer, like cheap car insurance.

Originally Posted by FedUpCanadian

I'm lactose intollerant and a non-driver .

Originally Posted by FedUpCanadian

Don't let me dissuade you from moving here – you may love it, and many do. Canada is not a bad place to live!



Over the last few years, I’ve become increasingly pessimistic of the direction Canada is going (politically, and otherwise), and sick of its culture (or lack thereof).


I qualify for the ancestry visa, and work in a field (web development) that I assume is relatively in-demand. I’m in no huge hurry to leave, but if I eventually do move to a relatively large English city (London, Birmingham, Liverpool, etc.) do you think I’d be happier across the pond? Or am I just projecting what I think Canada should be like onto England? I've been to London and the surrounding area before, but it's hard to suss out the values of a country from one two-week visit.

Originally Posted by mardyarse

But thats the point he hasn't elaborated to us his impressions of the UK only told everyone why he hates Canada mainly due to the politics. He asked "are my impressions realistic?" but failed to give any.

Originally Posted by Novocastrian

And all this is helping the OP in what way exactly?

He's been articulate in expressing his feelings (as a 21 yr old) about his future prospects in Canada and is considering the UK as an alternative.

At the risk of triggering Vader's apparent auto-alert to the local threat of strength in the Force, I say again... go for it young Jedi.