Re-nationalisation

[Dextraneous]

So, which services should be (re)nationalised?

I reckon trains, broadband and energy companies are in the frame since IMHO they work in cahoots and not in competition.

 

[jockscott]

None of them Dex. Bloody useless governments would only put prices up, then give us 10% of the cost back in "tax cuts" (work it out,,, it's not a bargain)

 

[Dextraneous]

I struggle to believe that the current setup is the best there is.

 

[JBR]

My opinion of these things generally is that competition between companies is good for the customer.

The problem is when they form effective cartels and cease to compete with each other which, of course, rather defeats the object.

I'm not sure how this problem could be easily overcome. Perhaps licences to operate would be removed if companies did not perform competitively.

Or, better still, if one brave company took the first step and cut prices (and didn't put them back up again) and everyone took the opportunity to change suppliers.

 

[Dextraneous]

Maybe companies that were one trick ponies shouldn't be allowed. ASDA/TESCO have driven petrol prices down as they can sell at minimum profit margins/loss leaders. Maybe some more of this should take place?

 

[HerrNigred]

I would like to see a choice between water suppliers as well.

 

[longdogs]

The trouble is, whether services are private or nationalised, they are only in it for profit and not for the good of the general public. Train services for instance should be solely for the purpose of getting the public to and from work at a reasonable cost but this will never be the case.

 

[JBR]

The trouble is, whether services are private or nationalised, they are only in it for profit and not for the good of the general public. Train services for instance should be solely for the purpose of getting the public to and from work at a reasonable cost but this will never be the case.

Yes, but real competition should, at least in theory, encourage companies to cut their profits in order to attract more custom. Further down the line, of course, if everyone moves their custom to them their profits will increase again.

The greedy companies who don't compete go under.

 

[big-all]

they doubled the subsidy to the railway
that was the only way it was attractive enough to buyers

if they doubled the subsidy and left it in br hands we would have a world class railway now needing less subsidy

no vital services should be at the whim off another country or the shareholders with vested interests

 

[JBR]

no vital services should be at the whim off another country or the shareholders with vested interests

Too late! Just about everything in Britain is now owned by foreign countries.

 

[HerrNigred]

Too late! Just about everything in Britain is now owned by foreign countries.

A lot of Australian public organisations are owned by Japan. It does not seem to have done them any harm.
Ask Joe when he returns.

 

[footprints]

Just think of the profits broadband telecommunications and power companies pay to shareholders, many of whom are outside the UK, all that profit could be going into the treasury, if they hadn't sold the family silver for a quick short term gain!

 

[JBR]

Too late! Just about everything in Britain is now owned by foreign countries.

A lot of Australian public organisations are owned by Japan. It does not seem to have done them any harm.
Ask Joe when he returns.

Joe never left; he's just changed his name again.

In fact, I have a suspicion that he is now posting under TWO aliases. It's the only way he can get anyone to agree with him!

 

[dreadnoughtheating]

Maybe companies that were one trick ponies shouldn't be allowed. ASDA/TESCO have driven petrol prices down as they can sell at minimum profit margins/loss leaders. Maybe some more of this should take place?

And, that is good because??? they have now forced what, 75%? of non-supermarket petrol stations to close?, and hardware shops, fishmongers, butchers, bakers, chemists, greengrocers, off-licenses, pretty much anywhere they open a so-called superstore. IMHO they have their own cartel, and that's any of the big six - after all they all seem to claim their typical trolley load is the cheapest, but how can they ALL be the cheapest…

Rant over.

DH

 

[ladylola]

Just think of the profits broadband telecommunications and power companies pay to shareholders, many of whom are outside the UK, all that profit could be going into the treasury, if they hadn't sold the family silver for a quick short term gain!

Very true and it of course encompasses ALL foreign owned investments . Privatisation is very efficient at exporting our wealth.
I've posted this link before but worth reading again seeing as it talks about re nationalisation and interesting when you consider who wrote it -
http://zerocarbonista.com/2013/09/26/how-many-more-winters-of-energy-discontent/
For what it's worth to answer the original question then, power, transport, comms , banks and production if only to break the hold of corporations .