The changing face of Britain under Labour has been laid bare in a modern Domesday Book. It shows how traditional pubs, post offices and libraries have gone by the wayside. In their place bookmakers, nightclubs and supermarket chains have flourished. Figures produced by the Government paint a striking picture of the way in which the country has changed since 1997. They reveal a sharp decline in many of the traditional businesses and services which once sustained community life. The Tories said the statistics show how Labour has failed to protect vital services on which millions rely. The number of police stations has fallen by 160, the number of hospitals and clinics is down by 580, while the number of schools has dropped by a staggering 2,380. Other big fallers include post offices, with the number of branches down by 39 per cent, from 19,000 in 1997 to 11,500 today. Almost 200 public libraries have been axed, while the number of traditional sports and social clubs has slumped by more than half, with 11,680 closing since 1997. During the same period 3,460 traditional pubs have closed. Businesses that have done well out of the Labour government include a number of less wholesome ones. They include bookmakers, with branch numbers up by 39 per cent, from 3,270 to 4,540, and casinos, whose numbers have jumped by 27 per cent. The first lapdancing clubs appeared in Britain in 1995 and there are thought to have been about 24 by 1997. Now there are an estimated 300, their numbers boosted by a change in the licensing laws which made it far easier to gain planning permission.
1,150% increase in lapdancing clubs since 1997 to 2010 53% increase in drive-through restaurants 27% increase in casinos -6% decrease in public libraries -7% decrease in pubs -8% decrease in police stations -10% decrease in schools -32% decrease in hospitals and clinics
It's all over in 2012 anyway. Might as well max out of your credit cards on strippers and partying while there is still time to have some fun!