i watched the debate last night, relitivly civilised. i also wathched the climate leaders debate, v,civilised. i wonder what he common denominator was?... anyways, for 10 years i have heard labour accuse the Scot Gov of implimenting austerity. and for all of those years i havent heard that statement questioned. but all of a suddon, and now that one of their hartlands is looking again. we get this. https://twitter.com/Plaid_Cymru/status/1201243588186845184
I'm no expert so I'm not too impassioned on defending my position, however, I'd make a coupe of points. Privatisation didn't role back Beechings cuts but, Beechings cuts did contribute to declining passenger numbers which is out with the actual trains being run by nationalised managers. My point about the low emissions zone and house prices is that as people can't live or drive into London they need to commute and trains have taken this demand. So, this demand would be the same whether the trains are nationalised or not, I also understand that London commuters are having to stand on the trains (which accelerates passenger growth cos you can squeeze more in). Nationalised industry would have to invest in extra coaches better trains, not something the private sector is known for. TB
We don’t have one of the worlds top economies. we are 20 or 29th in the world in GDP per capita measuring it in absolute terms is not a good measure of how “good” our economy is
And he's NEVER done a days work in his life.... I said to my wife he's a musician and she corrected me to "he's an entertainer, they are not the same thing".... that said I've still a soft spot (nostalgia?) for him.
Ha. I was building on the nostalgia that mines steel and ship building had to be taken into public ownership cos the owners had raped them stupid and made them so dangerous that they couldn't bring them back to life. Also, haven't there been a few cases of rail franchisees saying fuck it and the govmnt having to take them back. Which casts a bit of a shadow over capitalism / greed is good. TB
Certainly, the capitalist approach is not a panacea for all ills and no amount of entrepreneurism can make a silk purse from a pig's ear ... but like democracy, it's the best system we have for now (until infinite resources and infinite living space become reality). Public ownership should be the thing that comes after the last resort : o )
On today's advent calendar of free things from Labour Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald announced cutting train ticket prices, costing £1.3 billion. When asked where the money would come from as this never mentioned in the 2019 ge labour manifesto nor was it budgeted for he replied, It will be funded by the vehicle excise tax income. When asked will this effect the proposed road schemes his reply was, We cannot road-build our way out of a climate emergency. 23 more free days till christmas
He's worked in a music shop, plus joined the Royal Armoured Corp albeit both for a short period, so never say never. Plus he has worked hard at his music career, love Billy.
Of course, 23 more calendar hatches to open, who knows what else we will get free that they never mentioned or budgeted for
Most people complain that UK rail prices are too high. politician suggests cutting rail prices people complain rail prices are too low
