A Times report this morning says half of Tory voters want Gas and Electric Re-Nationalized, Margaret would be turning in her grave.

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

One of the very few lefties I have a modicum of respect for once made the point that basic utilities such as gas, electric and water are not really like other commodities. Essentially you are primarily picking a brand when you select a 'supplier' because no matter what, you still have only one single supply of all of them.

The gas you burn when you turn your heating on is the same gas no matter which letter-head you have on your bill.

This article perhaps puts the facts out there....

[Link]

People have to drink water. Or else they die. The supply of it is not necessarily something that can be measured in normal commercial terms. So how is this salary justified? What does this woman actually do that makes the water coming out of your tap any better?

Heading a Supermarket chain, that I get. I can choose from at least 3 different companies in walking distance. And if I want to drive for no more than 15 minutes, that multiplies. Competition in that matters.

But the water in my taps? Or the gas in my pipes?

No. Questions do have to be asked.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

Also "one minute" all politicians are incompetent, evil, "only in it for themselves" etc etc, then "the next minute" we want them to run the nation's gas, electricity, water and railway industries etc etc.

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)

Some valid points but all those services are of critical national interest. We need to have some serious re-thinking around how they are organised and supplied.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

The decisions that need making, and the costs involved with no real short or even medium-term benefit means that no version of a private company is capable of making them.

It is a political project. Do we have a current class of politicians capable of making it happen? No. But that does not mean it should not happen.

A nation-state should be able to heat its own homes. To supply its people with the basic utilities to survive. Water, Gas, Electric, even its transport network.

The private market may have a role to play but it has to be under a national umbrella.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

A rock and a hard place choice I always think.

Do we want shareholders milking the profits or inefficient and wasteful civil servants running things.

Any re nationalized service would have to be a lot more answerable and streamlined than they have been in the past.