Will the popular uprisings in North Africa and Middle East

[McMouse]

by people wishing to change the system lead to similar violence on the streets of European cities?

[DebsyDoo]

I think it could - although, having said that - we as a nation, normally just sit back & complain amongst ourselves, but rarely actually get up & do anything about it !!

[mightywease]

Well there have already been some large scale protests i.e over student fees, and there are plans for some more major protests against current government views i.e on 26th March, so I think that the demonstrations in Egypt and elsewhere may bolster these.

[DebsyDoo]

It's like the VAT increase - how many shops have you been in & commented on the price of something going up so much ?

The VAT only went up 2.5p in the pound, but our local 'NISA' shop has added far more than that to many, many items - & what can we do about it ?

P*sses me off !!!

[TTG]

Same with fuel. Only gone up in the UK...not the rest of Europe apparantly.

[ClareA]

I don't think there'll be much of an effect in Europe, regarding unrest. I agree with Debsy on that. I know that it's tragic that people are losing their lives under oppressive regimes in the Middle East, but the coverage is at least highlighting those regimes and placing them under international scrutiny. We need Western governments to take a more robust stance regarding trade with these nations, which few (governments) are brave enough to do when we're selling them arms, &c., and valuing their trade. Look at how we won't embargo China, with its appalling human rights record, and annexing of Tibet, because of trade interests.