Britain used to have brilliant public services.
Note the past tense!
Because, over the last couple of decades - they have sold off our trains, our gas, our water and anything else they can get away with.
In theory, there are advantages to this. Money is made first of all by the sale, (which is a goody isn't it) and also the money is saved by not having to run it any more (double goody.) Also, by killing the monopoly privatisation gives the opportunity for competition - which surely should mean the end user, visa vi us can get better prices.
The problem is that, these advantages tend to be rather short term i.e
- The money gained is soon spent - generally on expenses for the government like second houses and gold plated duck houses...
- These companies will generally make a mess of things and require government money to keep them propped up
- The companies do not contrive to compete - instead filling the pockets of their shareholders at all turns because - lets face it - you can't get it from anyone else!
I understand that some services may well have been just as bad in government hands. Hell - there is even a small (very small) chance that they could have made things worse. I feel however that, the profits these companies need to make - are what will always hurt us.
The trains for instance are a bloody awful mess, and in my humble opinion:
British rail is an ineptly run money pit.
Trains are rarely on time and usually far too small for the routes they are covering. That a seat is now not to be an expectation is ridiculous. The last trains designed in our area almost halved the amount of seats for god sake. Except for First class of course. Money always means luxury is to be expected (in this case, not having to stand up for a 4 hour journey.)
If this had been done to save money to keep rail fares affordable, I wouldn't mind. But its not like that at all. Since I moved to this area, most fees have gone up by almost four times.
That a journey for only two people is cheaper in a car than on a train says it all. 'Public transport' is too much of a money making scheme and not about being a viable alternative.
The setting off point for this rant I should add was the radio news this evening. In a dual bill, the government want to offer more powers to GP's to distribute tax players monies & to privatise parts of the NHS in order to improve services.
Apparently this is not being done to save money of course. No, it is merely to improve services.
Did they think I came down in the last shower!?
If there is any votes on this (and lets face it, they probably won't ask any of us - its not like any of us our intelligent enough to make decisions) I strongly suggest you vote against any privatisation of our NHS.
It is one of the last Bastions of our once much prouder nation and is the envy of many a nation.
Rant over.
