The Queen has always been a symbol of national unity & cohesion for the UK. Depends on how the Royal Family are advised to respond to recent riots.
Britain was already in serious trouble before the ‘official’ GFC. Its economy is still very fragile; hence David Cameron’s major cut backs on spend. And, now Britain’s international image has also been tarnished.
They can’t afford not to host the 2012 Olympics, since it will bring in tourists and therefore $$$; just as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations will.
Hard to say.. it’ll depend on how the situation with riots is managed from now on. Obviously safety will the the #1 issue for all visitors. It isn’t only a matter of law & order. It is also cultural. Though, law & order is an integral part of it. Because there are militant, very organised, anarchist groups right now in Britain, Europe and in most Western countries, who deliberately capitalise on key grievances of the ‘underclass’ & add fuel to fires. They also try to empower & radicalise the youth. The current social & economic climate in Britain further helps their cause.
Yes that economic model has worked so well in previous olympics like Greece, Montreal, etc. < /massive sarcasm>
I seem to remember that hosting the olympics always costs considerably more that it generates. What it does however is give an open pipeline from the taxpayers' wallets to the olympic committee and those contractors and locals who are connected to the event. Sort of like taxes - impoverish all a moderate amount and enrich a few a very great deal. It also gives local politicians some great "free" entertainment again at others' expense.
who deliberately capitalise on key grievances of the ‘underclass’ & add fuel to fires. They also try to empower & radicalise the youth.
These people are called "community organizers."