Monday 27 December 2010

National Strategic Assets And A Golden Share

The more I look at how this country is managed by politicians of all colours and persuasions, the more I'm inclined to the idea that where there are strategic hubs, such as airports, power stations, gas terminals, water supply, telecoms and the like, parts of our nation, which we all take for granted, but which are vital for the day to day management of our nation, the more a "Golden Share Holder" position becomes clearer.
I'm not for nationalisation or re-nationalisation of businesses, but I do believe that we should have a major say, when the need arises in to how matters should be undertaken in emergencies, hence, the golden share option.
Just before Christmas the Government offered help and assistance to BAA the Spanish owners of Heathrow Airport, to have that offer refused, yet tens of thousands of travellers were to miss out on their plans, London looked ridiculous, as after four days we still hadn't/couldn't clear four inches of snow. In such circumstances, better still earlier, we as a nation, through the Government's Golden Share, should have stepped in and cleared the snow, then charged the Spanish company to full cost of doing it.. Similarly with the sale of much of our strategic infrastructure, the new owners need to be aware, we welcome them as owners, that they have responsibilities which they should hold and act on, otherwise we may step in and take over the organisation or even pass it on to another organisation that will do the bidding of the nation.
This isn't to frighten the new investors, but to encourage them and ensure that our nation remains safe and away from harm, no matter who owns the strategic infrastructure.

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