Public Ownership Unit

[Workingman]

On the eve of Labour's conference John McDonnell has outlined plans to take back the railways, some or parts of other utilities, PFI initiatives and remodel the economy. He has even fleshed out how some things might be paid for through the issue of government bonds to compensate shareholders.

He thinks the railways could be taken back within five years, with the rest on a rolling programme over time.

It could all be a pipe dream likely to disappear under the full light of reality, but who knows? Having ideas is the easy part, delivering them is another matter.

However, one thing is certain, the ideas will be popular with a large section of the public - a vote winner.

[Kaz]

I am cautiously in favour, if it can be done.

[TheOstrich]

I am cautiously in favour, if it can be done.

And so am I. Although in the current political climate, I'd prefer to see it sooner rather than later.

Like many others, I did buy into Maggie Thatcher's privatisation plans as a good idea - all those cheap public share offers in British Gas, SWEB, Yorkshire Water and so on - and personally, I was in it for the long haul. But the trouble was, people got greedy, started selling their holdings off as the stock market prices rose; the bigger investment companies bought them up and then inevitably the take-overs started, leading to the crazy situation we have today with most of our utilities now foreign-owned.

And the botched and rushed privatisation of British Rail was John Major's final act of folly, ill thought out and ill conceived.

Hindsight's a wonderful thing, isn't it?

Labour appear to be the most obnoxious bunch of individual politicians I have ever witnessed. But if re-nationalisation is going to be their signature policy ...... I'm afraid I might just hold my nose.

[Kaz]

Well said Ossie x

[AliasAggers]

I am cautiously in favour, if it can be done.

I'm sure it can be done, and should be done.

The sooner the better.

[Workingman]

I suppose the devil will be in the detail of the election manifesto - we'll see.

Maybe it is out there to test the waters or maybe it is because there is a belief that the election is nearer than many of us thought.

Today's news makes that seem more likely. There are rumours that No 10 aides are planning for a snap election, maybe November; and in another vote grab Labour has said it will get behind a 2nd ref if members vote for it. With 86% of members being for a 2nd ref that now looks likely and chimes with the feelings in the country at large.

[Suff]

Labour's IOF share plan will be seen as theft by companies

That says it all for me. Everything I thought to say and everything I didn't think to say. All in the same article. Especially the part where the nationalisation of the public utilities, like the post office and others, will actually decrease share ownership. The Post Office, for instance has 12% of its shares in the hands of workers after the sell off. Something the workers have hung onto very hard.

As for workers gaining ownership of companies, that is already in place.

It is called "Save As You Earn" (SAYE) or "Sharesave" and was introduced by Margaret Thatcher's government in 1980.

What a perfect time to destroy the capital markets, drive businesses out of the UK and cripple inward investment into the UK and drive the banking industry way.

I wouldn't let this lot in charge of a rubber duck at bath time. Let alone the country.

[Workingman]

Suff, you are forgetting equilibrium, balance, yin and yang, equal and opposite - for every good idea there has to be a stark raving bonkers one.

April 1st and August silly season appear to be year long events nowadays.

[Suff]

Suff, you are forgetting equilibrium, balance, yin and yang, equal and opposite - for every good idea there has to be a stark raving bonkers one.

We had a party for that, it was run by Screaming Lord Such.

We really don't need his ideas to creep into Labour... People might actually vote for them...