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Vassal State

How America Runs Britain

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Vassal State

By: Angus Hanton
Narrated by: Hugh Kermode
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About this listen

British politicians love to vaunt the benefits of the UK's supposed 'special relationship' with the US. But are we really America's economic partner - or its colony?

Vassal State lays bare the extent to which US corporations own and control Britain's economy: how American business chiefs decide what we're paid, what we buy, and how we buy it. US companies have carved up Britain between them, siphoning off enormous profits, buying up our most lucrative firms and assets, and extracting huge rents from UK PLC - all while paying little or no tax. Meanwhile, policymakers, from Whitehall mandarins to NHS chiefs, shape their decisions to suit the whims of our American corporate overlords.

Based on his 40 years of business experience, devastating new research, and interviews with the major players, Angus Hanton exposes why Britain has become the poor transatlantic relation - and what we can do to change it.

©2024 Angus Hanton (P)2024 Swift Press Audio Politics & Government United Kingdom Capitalism Business Taxation China Socialism

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In *Vassal State, Angus Hanton delivers a sharp and incisive critique of the UK's relationship with the US, challenging the notion of a 'special relationship' and revealing a stark reality: Britain as an economic vassal to American interests. Through a blend of personal experience, rigorous research, and compelling interviews, Hanton lays bare how US corporations have come to dominate the British economy, dictating everything from wages to consumer choices.

The audiobook is rich with insights, showcasing the ways in which American business leaders have strategically acquired British assets and profits while often avoiding their fair share of taxes. Hanton’s thorough analysis highlights the implications of this dynamic, particularly on policymakers who seem to operate under the influence of their American counterparts.

While I found the content both enlightening and thought-provoking, I did feel that some sections were a bit padded out. Certain arguments could have been more concise, which would have sharpened the overall impact of Hanton's insights. The pacing occasionally slowed, detracting from the urgency of the book's important message.

Overall, Vassal State is a compelling listen that sheds light on a critical issue facing the UK today. Hanton’s call to action is both timely and necessary, making this book a valuable addition to the discourse on economic sovereignty. Despite some moments of excess, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and highly recommend it to anyone interested in the intersection of politics and economics.

The Cost of “Special”

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Brilliant. Powerful. Terrifying. This excellent and pioneering analysis proves what I feared about Brexit and why I voted Remain. Britain demoted itself from a position of influence in the largest single market to a Costa Rica in the global American market. No offence to Costa Rica intended.

why is no one talking about this?

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Littered with well exampled contradictions of US monopoly foreign taxation. Struck that $4 billion of artwork leaves the UK every year.

Incredible insight into the pillaging of the UK

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I think the author illustrates clearly what money and power can achieve. I assume historically this is nothing new, but is now affecting Britain. I am not sure if this country will become a state of America or/and a playground for the rich? Time will tell!

An interesting book looking at how one country can have influence over another.

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I enjoyed this book and the points made on the following topics:
+ Abject failure of successive Tory and Labour governments to protect British interests.
+ Government policy of subservience to the US.
+ Foreign Direct Investment treated as if it is always good, even when it is really asset stripping by private equity firms.
+ HMRC taxation policy making it harder to start companies and taxing British companies more when operating than when they are sold off.
+ Comparison with German and French corporate board strategy, with employees getting a say on whether the company gets sold to Private Equity and representations of local and national strategic interest.

I was not so keen on some of Hanton's left-leaning, political opinions, e.g. general pro-EU statements - noting that the EU would protect the UK from US corporate take-overs, but neglecting to mention large take-overs by companies from EU states like EDF; comment that President Trump is "capricious", which is a misrepresentation, i.e. one could argue that Trump's policies are consistent with his own political beliefs, just not with preceding US governments.
However, despite this minor gripe, and occasional jarring political opinions, this is a great book.

Great Summary of UK Vassalage to Foreign Interests

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