£1 = 1 Euro

If there were any greater indication that the United Kingdom is in a gigantic mess look no further than our falling exchange rate. The £1 is simply dropping in value like a stone.

However, to paraphrase Napoleon Hill, 'In every adversity lie the seeds of opportunity'.

So, if I were in charge of this country, here's what I would be doing:

- Restore our manufacturing industry.
No, even with the exchange rate we may not be able to compete with China on price - but we could compete on QUALITY.
Anyone else sick of cheap imports that break within days or weeks?
Anyone else remember the days when things actually LASTED?
I would be reinstating the 'Made in Britain' tag with regulated standards and pride in British workmanship to re-establish our brand worldwide.

- Restore our farming industry.
All but lost, and now imports from Europe are incredibly expensive. Yet we have acres and acres of verdant fertile soil.
Let's use them - and at minimum become self-sufficient in inexpensive food for all.

- Encourage future growth industries.
There's a huge tide in entrepreneurial instinct in this country.
Let's use business incentives wisely to divert this talent and passion away from 'no hope sectors' and into future growth sectors - like renewable energy, bio tech science and alternative therapies/well being.

- Encourage tourism like mad.
Britain may not have the best weather but it is incredibly beautiful. The weak pound now makes us a very cheap destination.

- Encourage enterprise skills in schools with a passion. Soon the days of being 'an employee' will be gone forever.

What's needed right now is long term, joined up thinking.

Not short term fixes.

Let's look at what real value and competitive advantage we can create in this country - and then GO FOR IT !

With the decline in the financial services sector it's our only hope to re-establish ourselves as a worldwide 'power' economy.