A league table our politicians should be assessed by

Alain Quay

"Britain is only 21st in the world rankings for quality of life – the same position it held last year. Norway remains the best place to live, followed by Australia and Iceland. Britain also lags behind its close neighbours Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. The annual United Nations Development Programme league is based on wealth, education and life expectancy in 182 countries. The UK was held back by factors including our life expectancy of 79.3 years. In many of the top 20 countries people live until 80."