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Egypt may just be following trends nearby: Equatorial Guinea (in Africa) is relocating its capital from Malabo (which is on an island) to Ciudad de la Paz (on the mainland). The country is ranked in the top 10 most corrupt in the world, by Transparency International. It is an outright kleptocracy, and living there is quite an experience, according to people I know. Interestingly, you can go there visa-free as an American, but if you are British, you better not even think about setting foot there. Construction of Ciudad de la Paz is being funded by countries that are either experiencing illiberal trends or have horrendous human rights records: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciudad_de_la_Paz

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> Interestingly, you can go there visa-free as an American

They won't let you on the mainland, even with a valid visa. They don't want you to see what the global oil companies have done (and are doing) to the environment.

I tried to go.

Is 'have done (and are doing)' not visible from overhead?

Lots of details to be seen on the ground that can’t be seen or confidently established from satellite photography.

I understand that. I just assumed if it was BigOil behind the scenes that wells/refineries must be involved which are visible. What kinds of shenanigans are going on? I'm totally not up to speed on what is occurring there.

Immense deforestation with zero regard for the environmental impact, huge oil spills, etc.

I wonder if part of the reason Britain is moving The Lords and the BBC away from London is to avoid scrutiny from both of those.

The Lords is an irrelevance which should be abolished, and the BBC has a UK-wide remit. There's already quite a chunk of the BBC in Manchester.

It has and does act as a check on the HOC

Yes, and imagine having that role played by elected members.

They would be beholden to political machinations which get them elected and not do a very good job at it.

There are a lot of things with HoL but being unelected is not one of them.

You're right, we should do away with those pesky machinations and get rid of the elected lower house.

I appreciate the richness you bring to inference.

Why do you assume elected members must necessarily be better? I think a mixed system can balance the dangers (and each has their dangers) of each.

Because the UK is the worst bastion of social classism?

> you assume elected members must necessarily be better?

Yes. You can get rid of elected representatives.

It will be PR with a list system aka only very safe party insiders will get in.

Yo wont get the "stroppy bastards" who actually hold the executives toes to the fire.

Is it really the best we can do in the 21st century?

Human nature doesn't change. Conditions might.

Dumb American question: Is "The Lords" shorthand for "The house of Lords"?

Yeah https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-53432776

I'm a brit and had to google. Apparently they may move temporarily while refurbing the usual location.

I'm curious; is there anti british sentiment there?

They don't really like the British after a failed coup attempt by a bunch of British mercenaries and financed by Maggie Thatcher's son:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Equatorial_Guinea_coup_d%...

No: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Equatorial_Guinea_coup_d'...

The 2004 Equatorial Guinea coup d'état attempt, also known as the Wonga Coup, failed to replace President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo with exiled opposition politician Severo Moto. Mercenaries organised by mainly British financiers were arrested in Zimbabwe on 7 March 2004 before they could carry out the plot. Prosecutors alleged that Moto was to be installed as the new president in return for preferential oil rights to corporations affiliated to those involved with the coup. The incident received international media attention after the reported involvement of Sir Mark Thatcher in funding the coup, for which he was convicted and fined in South Africa.

A fine ! How proper the nobles are ransomed back while the peasants are executed

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