I don't disagree with your underlying observation Bonesie.
One of the things I particularly admire and respect about Germany, is that they have never run up the white flag over manufacturing industry to the same extent as most Western countries.
Successive governments (and I'm not just talking about the UK) have presided over the closing down of manufacturing industry, without doing enough to develop alternative economic activities, nor to educate or prepare the young who will be joining the workforce to be equipped for the work that is available. An economy made up of short term contracts, often zero hours, on low rates of pay, is no solution for the long term. No wonder so many people are disillusioned and feel that they have no stake in society
