Bill Carmichael: All the makings of a Greek tragedy for bankrupt Britain

Yes, they all enthusiastically joined the euro and, yes, all are governed by dodgy and unstable coalitions knocked together in the wake of hung parliaments.

So at least we know what to expect if the opinion polls are right and the Lib Dems hold the balance of power in a week's time.

But, more importantly, they are nations in which the citizens have

given up any pretence at self-reliance and have, instead, become clients of the state, offering their political support in exchange for material benefits.

The result is paralysis – the Greek government can't act to reduce its soaring debt because it depends for support on beneficiaries of the state's largesse who are prepared to take to the streets to defend

their long holidays and lavish pensions.

Such a system sucks all vitality out of a community. Eventually, the valiant efforts of the diminishing wealth-creating private sector is simply insufficient to provide for the parasitical millions who expect to get something for nothing.

It would be folly for us to feel superior in the UK – we are not too far from the precipice ourselves and our annual deficit is on a par with Greece's.

And we, too, have clients of the state who effectively block any hope of reform.

During this general election campaign, for example, none of the main political parties has come up with a credible plan to deal with the scandal of gold-plated public-sector pensions that threaten to bankrupt Britain.

The risk of offending a bloc of six million public-sector voters is

just too powerful a disincentive.

Similarly, no politician chances upsetting the five million

plus "economically inactive" voters with radical plans for benefit reform, despite a burgeoning welfare budget that could plunge us into economic ruin.

Earlier this week, the BBC's Panorama programme interviewed a number of men in their early 20s – fit, well educated and articulate – who had simply decided that they were better off on the dole than working.

One cheerfully admitted he received 12,000 in job seeker's allowance and housing benefit and couldn't be bothered to find a job.

There are millions like them – and they are bleeding Britain white.

But when Digby Jones, former director general of the CBI, advocated introducing the American "workfare" system – under which claimants have to carry out work or must undergo training in exchange for benefits – there were gasps of outrage.

Such a system would cut the costs to the taxpayer as well as giving young people some self-respect and direction in life.

Britain is broke. We can't afford such indulgent entitlements any more.

And how much better to cut the fat from over-generous pensions and benefits, rather than in front line services such as health, education and the security services.

If only we had politicians with the courage to say so.

I WAS dashing through Leeds City Station during the morning rush hour recently when the chap in the crowd next to me suddenly crashed to the floor.

A number of commuters helped him to his feet, dusted him off and gathered up his papers from his briefcase that had burst open on impact.

Luckily, he didn't appear seriously hurt, although his wrist was

swollen and no doubt he suffered a few bruises.

But what angered him most was what had caused him to fall – he'd tripped over a yellow plastic cone warning that the floor may be slippery.

Of course, when you are moving along in a tightly packed crowd, such obstacles are pretty much invisible.

What "health and safety" genius decided it would be a good idea to place the cone in the middle of the station during the busiest period of the day?

I couldn't help noticing as I helped to gather up his papers, that he appeared to be employed by one of the city's big legal firms.

I hope he sues them for a tidy sum.