Jon-Bxl

I was just watching a recording of 'Mock the Week' and heard that Spain has left the G20 and are just 'observer' status.

I have to admit not knowing that - but sounds like really big news.

Is it because of the crisis?

Just for discussion, as much as we might like Spain, does this mean in effect that they simply don't have the horsepower to be considered a major player on the global stage?

It appears so...

Jon

Ps I think the episode is repeated saturday night

agoreira

Spain is not a member of the G20, it gets invited along, it is referred to as a "permanent guest" it has, as you said, observer status only. I think they have the role of tea lady!
Even the top men get it wrong occasionally
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbyDVIKM18M

Fred James

Spain is not a member and never was.

This article talks about it.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...e-g-20-359557/

jackytoo

Notice the date of the article is 2009. Wonder what it would say now

Dick Dasterdly

So if Obama is free the ask Spain along as a guest, I reckon Cameron should be able to invite Gibraltar.

The Spanish make terrible tea anyway, so I dare say Fred B would be happy to act as tea lady, as well as a fly on the wall.

agoreira

It's a bit like when we were kids, if you weren't good enough to play in the first team, you got the job of bringing the oranges on at half time.

Jon-Bxl

How weird, I never questioned that Spain were in the G20.... and when Dara Obrean mentioned that they had left... he got it wrong. They were never in.

Spain has had a huge global influence and history, hence the language is spoken all over the world.

Well you learn something every day.. I also had it wrong to think they were in.

Jon

Dick Dasterdly

Spain lost most of it's global influence a very long time ago and more recently it's time under Franco didn't help, as for history I don't think it makes much difference in todays world.

rugbymatt

Spanish is spoken all over the world because of the empire... and to be fair, the death and destruction they gave to the world. South America speaks Spanish thanks to the blood they filled the rivers and soil with. Spain has less cause to celebrate than the UK for its record on human rights.

Fredbargate

I'm in Boston at the moment so let's not mention tea

Jon-Bxl

Blimey you do pick your places

jackytoo

One of my favourite places...enjoy

I have realised there is something missing from this thread...Stevie. He usually comes on discussions like this with 4 links to say Spain is booming Perhaps he has arrived in Madrid for his business start up.

Jon do you think the "Mock the Week" programme was being sarky when they said Spain had left the G20

Dick Dasterdly

Maybe he's already doing good business flogging those "relax with a 3 euro con leche" T-shirts at 18 euros a shot.

As they say,every cloud has a silver lining and at least a handful of sharp entrepreneurs have been smart enough to cash in on Madrid's catastrophic showing.

I recall something along those lines was one of his business suggestions a short while back.