🇬🇧United Kingdom · 00s
The Iraq War
A million marched against war. Blair went to war anyway. British politics was never the same.
5 milestones of 2003
Britain joined the US-led invasion of Iraq. Blair argued Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. He didn't. 179 British personnel would die. The war destroyed Blair's reputation and trust in politics.
War — honour all who died, acknowledge the WMD controversy
Up to 2 million people marched through London against the Iraq war — the largest protest in British history. Similar marches took place worldwide. Blair ignored them.
Ken Livingstone introduced the London Congestion Charge — £5 to drive into central London. Critics predicted chaos. It worked. Traffic fell 30%. Other cities watched and considered.
Weapons expert Dr David Kelly was found dead after being named as the source of a BBC report questioning the Iraq dossier. The Hutton Inquiry followed. The BBC chairman and director-general resigned.
Death in political context — present factually, respectfully
England won the Rugby World Cup in Australia. Jonny Wilkinson's drop goal in extra time against Australia sealed victory. Martin Johnson lifted the Webb Ellis Cup. England's greatest rugby moment.
70% local · 30% international
Love Actually
Richard Curtis — Hugh Grant dances in Downing Street. British Christmas film forever.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Peter Jackson — 11 Oscars. The trilogy ends. 'You bow to no one.'
Pirates of the Caribbean
Gore Verbinski — Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow. Unexpected blockbuster.
Finding Nemo
Andrew Stanton — Pixar's ocean adventure. 'Just keep swimming.'
Calendar Girls
Nigel Cole — Yorkshire WI ladies pose nude. Helen Mirren. True story.
Rugby World Cup Final
Nov 2003 — 14 million watched Wilkinson's drop goal at 5am. Worth the alarm clock.
Little Britain
2003-2007 — 'Yeah but no but.' Matt Lucas and David Walliams. Catchphrase comedy.
Peep Show
2003-2015 — Mitchell and Webb. First-person comedy. Cringe masterclass.
The X Factor (prep)
2003 — Simon Cowell's new show in development — would launch 2004.
State of Play
2003 — John Simm, David Morrissey. BBC political thriller. Outstanding.
Currency: GBP
Inflation: 1.4%
House prices booming. Low inflation. Low interest rates. Iraq war costs mounting. The boom felt fragile.
Inflation-adjusted values
iTunes Music Store
Apple launched legal music downloads — 99p a track.
Skype
Free internet calling launched — long-distance calls became free.
Camera phones
Camera phones becoming standard — Nokia 6600, Sony Ericsson.
Broadband growth
Over 5 million broadband connections — dial-up dying.
MySpace
Social networking site launched — bands and teenagers connected.
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