Whatever you decide, I'd avoid NatWest Stockbrokers. I was with them for awhile and found their service pretty lame although I believe it routes through TD Waterhouse. I find Hargreaves-Lansdwon a bit expensive for smaller trades of stocks but acceptable as the service is first class. Whichever way you look at it, compared to dealing costs 10 years ago things are a lot cheaper everywhere now.

HTH,
Mickey

I just tried to open an account at IB and after spending about 25 minutes filling in numerous forms online with four signatures up to now and specifying my base currency as GBP They say I have to deposit funds to cover Market Data which I do not want in any event.
However I guess that, as you could probably select no market data once you get the account open, I proceed to try to deposit funds only to be presented with all options to pay only in USD.
I tried to ring support via their European number within the hours stated on their site to be told that there are no staff to take your call. Great !"!!
What a waste of half an hour of my life. I´ll stick with TDW in spite of their increasing their commission to £12.50 a deal.