I have had an Alpari UK live account for over a year and never had any difficulty - I am loed in the united kingdom so that its easy for me to call with any queries and they have always been most helpful and professional.
I have NEVER been requoted or experienced any slippage - I have a tendency to exchange 1 standard lot. Recommended.
I have also had a North Finance demo account for 18 months - as a demo account its quite good - that they never seem to shut it down just like some brokers - none of the 30 day crap.
I'd be wary of a live account together though.