A banana republic is one where its leaders are in the pay of foreign interests. That happened here, if not in Thatcher's days, then certainly in Blair's. At least the interests getting worried right now are domestic.

R Burton, Bicester, UK

We should noW all go and slit our wrists and await judgement day! What a miserable article that does little to help anyone. The flowers will still bloom, the birds will sing and sometime the sun will shine. Enough of the self fulfilling doomsday theory. Let us look at positive ways to improve UK

James Walker, London, UK

".....When will the people of this country wise up to the socialists who wreck our economy every time.

NeilMc, Glos, ...."

Errrrrm.... 'Socialists Neil?...."

Austin Tassletine, Bristol, UK

Britain still equals England, does it? They're still synonyms are they? Rubbish.

And yet those from the same side of the political spectrum say England is the forgotten nation within the UK? See above!

No wonder the other 3 nations in the UK get a mite hacked off with the London commentariat

Graeme, London,

i don't normally like to blame a government for all of a countries ills but this time i feel Labour does deserve the blame. they are an absolute joke and need to get a grip on what is really going on for the average brit.

Alexander, London, England

Call us what u want but most of us have lived a great life - excessive - but great fun last 10 years!Life swings in roundabouts!No roast beef, York Pud, English Humour (emphasis on English)in most Banana Republics!Those that want to leave are not being held against their will.Long live Brittania!

James Walker, London, UK

"is there any group of people less representative of the people etc."
No . Stick the police on the end of your list and you'll have all of those people who think it is there job to tell us how to lead our lives rather than run the show as we would like.
They represent nobody but themselves.

Douglas Maxwell, Richmond, Yorkshire

As an ex-Pat living in Canada, you haven't seen socialism and the real definition of a banana republic until you've lived here.

I can't wait to retire and get back to my beloved England.

Tom, Toronto, Canada

HI here,

I guess the saying we have no bananas may be wrong after all.

katherine hans vonchslayerlair, barnard castle, durham

Just for clarification

John Ledbury, ian payne and Chris Jackson.
We do not, nor have we ever elected a Prime Minister. Period.
We vote for a local candidate. That's it.

David, Aberdeen,

"This is England" - Actually it's Britain, I think you've been in America too long.

Jonathan M Smith, Edinburgh, UK

I love the way some people blame 'the politicians'. That is it is 'their' fault and it is up to 'them' to fix it. Meanwhile honest J. Public returns to his/her couch and TV having taken the principled position of doing sweet fanny adams. Put the blame where it properly lies - with us collectively!!!

Mark, Berkhamsted,

to say nothing of power cuts!!!

Philip Barnes, Preston, england

The New Reich more like.

albert hall, hove, england

The oldest democracy is of course Switzlerand: 1291.

Jonathan, Cambridge, UK

together with many other expats i am delighted that th uk is failing. we are expats by choice because england is no longer for the english, no longer for entrepreneurs, no longer for any free thinkers, is no longer safe and has no health care worth having.
come to russia you free thinkers.

peter jones, moscow,

And, the worst of it all, what a bunch of whingers! If it's that bad, clear off to wherever you think you'll get a better deal. Life everywhere involves compromises in standards, values and priorities. You'd feel a lot better if you decided to get a life and stop being so determinedly miserable

John Duggan, Lisbon, Portugal

Must admit, the way this country is heading, I am seriously thinking about becoing an EX-PAT myself.

Geordie Tory, Newcastle, UK, Broonana Republica

Banana Republic? Banana Monarchy surely. If Britain were a republic, then we wouldn't be lumbered with so much taxes to keep the aristocracy in the lifestyle to which they are accustomed.

Paul, Coventry,

If the Formal systems of our Democratic process are no longer fit for purpose then the informal ones will take over. Does the average citizen really feel that they have any meaningful connection with the State anymore?

R James, Clifton, UK

"But is there any group of people less representative of the public than the cabal of Labour Party constituency members, trade union leaders ... " - Thank God someone else feels this way; I thought I was just hideously out of touch. And at 23, that's not an encouraging feeling.

Nick, London,

Britain's long-term future is very uncertain, since most politicians only think as far as the next election; and have one desire: to line their pockets

Graham, London, UK

As an italian, whose previous government lasted less than two years just to be replaced by a new Berlusconi's one, your complainings makes me feel a bit better... Maybe sooner or later i'll move to England.

Barbara Casarini, Modena, Italy

I only hope that if Britain does become a banana republic - that we start to act like one. Firstly to abolish duel passports and citizenship. So for those British people who slide off to pastures green - they can be assured that there is no return to Britain save going through immigration.

Tony Fellows, Birmingham, UK

Actually, this is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, not England. England doesn't have it's own Prime Minister, yet. And when did G Brown esq display any qualities of leadership or substance over style?

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

"The public seems to favour leadership qualities that emphasise personality traits over the faintest evidence of competence or aptitude for the job". Unlike the USA? Further, Boris is one of today's cleverest and most cultured politicians. And in Britain we don't elect PMs, we elect MPs. What tosh.

Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,

'Spring blush' and 'bucolic pleasures!!' There is plenty of blushing and bucolics going on at the moment in Merry England. Winston Churchill and John Betjeman caught the national mood. I believe both of them were well imbibed most of the time and Sir John earned his blushes by chasing young women.

Colin, Cambridge, UK

It is very unfair to lable the UK as a banana republic!
Banana republics produce usefull comodities that are in global demand. As such, they are protected from the worst of global inflation in a way that the UK is not.
Brazilian Real is 25% up on Sterling in 10 months.
UK a B.R? - if only!

Mike, Tauranga, New Zealand

It has taken more than 10 years to become a 'Banana Republic' but the process has accelerated in the last decade. Previous administrations sold the family silver, failed to invest in public services and in the provision of power stations, but the present economic mess is a result of profligacy.

Kenneth Armitage, Suffolk, England

The cabal are the press and television, who daily expoit the ignorance of the under 35yrs who themselves have short memories of high unemployement, high interest rates, class wars under the tories and have had it too good in the last 10 years. What this group wants is political beauty contest.

Tonye, O, Dalgety Bay, Fife, United Kingdom

We do not have the weather to be a banana republic.

David Williams, Eastnor, England

Why was it necessary to mention Boris's hair colour?

ben foster, penley,

You forgot to mention that the Junta also:

1 - Wants the power to imprison its citizens without trial or evidence.

2 - Wants to force citizens to carry papers.

3 - Values its 'special' relationship with the US over the interests of its country.

Time for a coup ?

Bob, Liverpool, UK

"Banana Republic"! Gerard you may not be joking. This nation is sleepwalking into an economic and social abbyss. Without major cuts in public spending the BoE will have to raise rates to maintain the value of sterling. Britain can't continue to live on tick!

Steve Marchant, Broadhempston, UK

To paraphrase Churchill: "Some banana, some republic!"

Kevin Straw, Leicester,

Thirty years ago, the last time we were in this mess, was after a, yes incredible coincidence, Labour governement. And the previous time we went cap in hand to the IMF was during a Labour government. When will the people of this country wise up to the socialists who wreck our economy every time.

NeilMc, Glos,

That , precisely ,is the strength of Britain, warts & all. We are being beefed up now by the good East European workers. We will muddle through at times but we will prevail in the end. And I don't think our neighbours are faring any better!

ian cheese, london, uk

In response to John Ledbury and Ian payne, do we ever have an elected Prime Minister?

Surely it is the leader of the party who holds the most seats in the house of commons, they are not elected as an individual; if you don't like become a member of a political party and do something about it.

John, South Lanarkshire, Scotland

Well said Benzo.

Many folk are ex-pats because of this government's policies, as manifest by the record numbers leaving the UK, so critiscism from afar is fair game. Representative? A Scottish PM, and Scottish MP's calling the shots for England, yet with their own Parliament ? Crazy

Terry, L'Absie, France

I don't know about rampant price inflation but this article is good evidence of verbal hyper-inflation . Journalists are in the grip of mass hysteria and their work is spreading it throughout the country. Get a grip, be professional, focus on the fundamentals, stop emoting.

Scott Newton, cardiff, uk

The cabals are responding to the general public. Since front man Blair has gone to better earnings, the public has seen what this statist Nulab have been doing for 11 years (on tax, support of the feckless, political correctness, unfettered immigration, pandering to those who seek to harm us)

David Cartright, Birmingham,

The top banana has been using the management techniques developed by the soviet tractor makers in the 1960. Is it any wonder we pay the earth in taxes and get dirt, whilst the bunch of bananas in the cabinet get lavish expenses.

Paul, Lincoln, England

Didn't the problems with the financial system start with Americans? NR's problems pale into insignificance against the collapse of Bear Stearns. Other than that where's the problem really? Labour MPs scared of losing their seats do not a crisis make. Grow up.

Eddie Reader, birmingham, england

A distinguishing feature of a B. Rep. you don't mention is corruption+we have people here who have amassed fortunes once the preserve of nations though "loose" fiscal policies. We have leaders who could not be asked to lead by example.How "influencable" will the next lot be as the coffers are empty?

Esther Phillips, Leatherhead,

Boris unelected Deputy Mayor to run London the UK will also give up its democracy which has been the cornerstone of our society. Boris is not smart enough to run London he should do what he does best "Comedy".The way politics is going in the UK its a good thing we are under the umbrella of the EU.

Bill Rees, Truro, Cornwall

You leave Gordon Mugabe alone.

Ken Wyatt, Todmorden, UK

...and your correspondent totally fails to mention the undemocratic EU and the failure to give us a referendum on its constitution that was promised.

Richard, Newton Abbot,

Yup, it sounds very much like the same 'Banana Syndrome' that an English expat I knew who described the indigenes here as being afflicted, that is now manifesting itself in Britain. Karmic retribution?

SD Goh, PJ, Malaysia

Surely an Unelected cabal is entitled to kick out an Unelected prime minister?

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

More like the fact that we have an unelected PM at the helm, which makes us more of a banana republic than ever !!!!

ian payne, walsall,

Britain shouldn't recoil in horror at the idea of being a banana republic. Frequent changes of government could be exactly what it needs. Watching this government trying to shore up failed policies and placate disgrunted citizens can't be any worse than seeing a new lot trying fresh ideas.

Christopher Reader, Cape Town, South Africa

The reputation for dynanism etc can now be seen to have been false, along with the illusion of prosperity, it has all been down to borrowed money.
You don't seem to bemoan the fact that democracy has left, we have a bullying "leader" and sheep as MPs who have always caved in at the end.

Matthew Bramall, Wadhurst, East Sussex

Am i alone in scenting nostalgia for the good old days of Batista here.?

frosbert Eglantine, paris, france

Unelected cabals kicking out the unelected Prime Minister?

Chris Jackson, London,

There is an easy solution to the present debacle, or at least the political aspect of it. We need a General Election. Gordon Brown is a useless PM and his acolytes have no mandate to replace him. A GE would clear the air and given a new Gorvernment a mandate to take action.

Adrian Gilbert, Tonbridge,

This article reflects readers comments for as far back as I can remember . It's always nice when the journo's catch up .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

I thought one of the key features, if not the defining feature, of a banana republic was that the leader stayed in place while everything went down the tubes. The fact that we're plotting to get rid of Brown is quite an encouraging sign. Mind you other signs of bananaism are there.

John Small, Faversham, UK

I do not know about the UK or Europe, but there are clear signs that the USA is in steady decline. Its economic might is fast becoming history. Since 2001, every year the household income for 90% of the people went down in real terms. Globalization is bringing about equality in the world.

Shyamal, Webb City, USA

As we say here in the States, 'Don't feel like the Lone Ranger'!
The United States is going down just as fast, if not faster, than Britain. Gigantic Federal budget deficits, a monstrous balance of trade deficit, uncontrollable, spiraling healthcare costs, decline in educational standards, etc.

Rudolph Russell, Memphis Tennessee, USA

" this isn't Haiti. This is England, for heaven's sake."

But isn't this our normal custom with the England football managers. Relief that the last one has finally gone, only to wait for the next to ALSO become a failure.

Politics is a funny ol' game..

Jan, London, UK

Phew! For a moment you were talking about the end of the Thatcher years. Leader kicked out by a cabal, house prices dropping by 20%, Assets flogged off cheap etc etc........ Get a grip man and look what the conservatives have done to the country you now call home before you critisise the UK!

Robert Fox, Christchurch, NZ

Couldn't agree more. All the best companies flogged off to foreign interests, manufacturing abandoned, Heathrow airport a world-famous international disaster, violence and alcoholism out of control, traffic-choked. Oh to be in England...

Stephen Hunt, New South Wales, Australia

Oh Richard. Who do you think set Britain up for the decades of prosperity and credibility that it has been enjoying, Messers Callaghan and Wilson? Despite her many foibles, Britain, has only Thatcher to thank for bringing them out of the dark Labour inspired days that you are heading rapidly back to

Dale, Australia,

I hope you're exagerating. I hate to think that your forecast mught be valid. I don't know what the main reason, if any, for that decline is. But you can surely count the care toward criminals, neglect toward victims, and the stale British socialism of your rulers as certain reasons. It's a pity.

Felix, Mountain View, USA/CA

You've forgotten our latest venture into banana republic territory. It used to be only in countries with serious problems of corruption that new buildings crumbled because of dodgy concrete construction - but now now it seems that we too can manage engineering projects like this, as we spiral down.

Gill, Southampton , used to be England

Britain fought back through years of pain in the Thatcherite era, which initially were continued by Major and Blair. Now Labour is again in command and as sure as winter follows summer decline and stagnation beckon.

Richard, London, England

Quite a change from the days of WW2 when we were singing, as a proud world class nation and beacon of prosperity, honour and integrity, and saviour of Europe: "yes, we have no bananas".

Someone belatedly got what they wished for.

Dominic Pearson, London, UK