When I wrote my first post on this (two months after starting my boycott) I felt it necessary to explain why.
At the time, it was not as obvious that the US would imminently become a serious threat.
Well - it very much is now.
While our leaders may feel compelled to hold their tongue and watch their actions, we ordinary people should not share their burden. In that spirit, I hope more people do seriously take some of the actions that exert the kind of vote-with-your-feet energy that the UK can be known for.
Since the US has such influence over the UK economy, I was initially worried that a boycott would be unworkable. After all, it’s hard to imagine a British high-street without a McDonalds.
Still, I did want to at least test how far I could go.
The starting point was the principle that wherever possible I should stop money leaving my bank account and ending up in US government tax revenue.
So stop purchasing American products and services completely - simple?
Well, yes, but there are second order effects to consider:
- if a UK product shows US adverts (i.e. allowing that American company to profit), am I breaching the rules?
- given all payment cards are American owned (VISA/Mastercard/Amex), are card payments against the rules?
- do I have to refuse someone’s gift if it came from an American company?
My answer to these were all generally no for practicality and pragmatism.
Those were the rules 10 months ago. They remain the rules now. In fact, it has been - to my pleasant surprise - quite easy.
I fully expect to continue this boycott in perpetuity.