We are fussing about the problems associated with economic growth in London and the South-east while neglecting the forces

We are fussing about the problems associated with economic growth in London and the South-east, while neglecting the forces driving that growth, as well as the opportunities and dangers that these generate.
The key point here is that the London region has embarked on a huge experiment of quite breathtaking audacity. It is to become the financial and – in some respects – the economic capital of the world. But it is accurate enough to demonstrate how we are wasting energy debating issues that are ultimately of second order importance, while hardly thinking about an issue of absolutely prime importance. It is all the fault of the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, who wants to build all these houses So something should be done to stop him

That is a caricature of the argument of course.

We cannot build more homes in London and the South-east of England because there isn’t enough water. It is all the fault of the “we cannot build more homes in London and the South-east of England because there is not enough water for their needs” view. Brilliant idea! Next, let’s tax people who have children, or ones who propose to grow old, Afro- Caribbeans who might have a higher susceptibility to schizophrenia, homosexuals who might get Aids, foreigners who slow everything down by not speaking English well enough, women, who might get breast cancer, men, who might get prostate cancer, and, of course, smokers Oh, someone’s already suggested that last one

More from Philip Hensher. The idea of universal and obligatory fascination is a completely new one, and not very pleasant. Let’s not fly those flags with pride.* A restaurant critic called Giles Coren has proposed that fat people be taxed, as presenting a burden on the economy. I don’t think I’ve had a single conversation with anyone alive at the time about the 1966 World Cup, for one single reason: most people weren’t that interested In truth, they still aren’t.

The awful aspect of this is the bullying tone, as if there’s something wrong with you if you don’t share the interest.I remember when the World Cup was something you either took an interest in, or didn’t. A little got-up outrage follows, and the kill-joy bosses back down.Well, people can do as they like in their spare time, but I don’t think they have a right to festoon their employers’ vans, bring flags into schools or bunk off sick whenever England play a match. Local councils, Tesco, schools and housing authorities have told workers, drivers or pupils that it isn’t really appropriate to bring in flags. How many visitors to the National Gallery have admired the Piero della Francescas, and subsequently planned a Tuscan holiday around his other works? A sale like this needn’t be a disaster; a judicious and small- scale leak of British paintings to public collections overseas would do the reputation of our national school all the good in the world.Let’s not put out more flagsOne of the recurrent news stories in the run-up to the football World Cup has been “Kill-joy Bosses Ban England Flags”. If the great Rigi watercolours go abroad to a foreign collection, they may well inspire visitors to plan a trip to London, specifically to see the great collection in Tate Britain. Paradoxically, too, it may sensibly be argued that we ought to hang on to the work of a foreign artist.