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The UK definitely has talented designers capable of delivering interesting public space, in both the urban and non-urban realms. We also have a progressive support network from bodies like CABE, and others. Perhaps the UK is less good with public consultation, too bullish in raising public expectations before work starts, and overly prescriptive with top down ideas. Thus mistakes do get made and bad press created. Of more relevance to this debate are issues of client attitudes, funding constraints, planning issues, the obsession of placing highway needs before people, poor maintenance plans, and the increasing privatisation of the public realm. These are the issues that most constrain good design. Not poor designers.