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[Lizzie_Zoom]

I am sure everyone has seen the news about the Northern Ireland water supply problems. Some people may not get reconnected until next week!!

Now as a Conservative I have always favoured privatisation.

Can anyone argue why nationalisation is so good, given the poor performance (40% below the private companies in the rest of the UK according to their Irish regulator) of the nationalised water system in NI?

The N. Irish may not at the moment pay water rates, but they apparently soon will to boost investment.

[freecall666]

sounds more like monopoly, need to go round board and get £200 and buy water board!!(when you land on it)...

[Nickbat]

They jumped on the AGW bandwagon:

...the predicted trends on a global scale and national scale indicate that we will see increases in temperatures, less defined seasons...

http://www.niwater.com/climatechange.asp

So, no preparation for cold winters as the warmists said snow and ice would be a thing of the past. Typical of state services these days, I'm afraid (like ordering in less road grit, for the same reasons).

[TheBoy]

They jumped on the AGW bandwagon:

...the predicted trends on a global scale and national scale indicate that we will see increases in temperatures, less defined seasons...

http://www.niwater.com/climatechange.asp

So, no preparation for cold winters as the warmists said snow and ice would be a thing of the past. Typical of state services these days, I'm afraid (like ordering in less road grit, for the same reasons).

 

And don't get me started on the retards at my local council, who think its fine not to collect rubbish for a bloody month over the friggin christmas period 

[Dishevelled Den]

I am sure everyone has seen the news about the Northern Ireland water supply problems. Some people may not get reconnected until next week!!

Now as a Conservative I have always favoured privatisation.

Can anyone argue why nationalisation is so good, given the poor performance (40% below the private companies in the rest of the UK according to their Irish regulator) of the nationalised water system in NI?

The N. Irish may not at the moment pay water rates, but they apparently soon will to boost investment.

On the final point Lizzie.......


The impression given in some media reports was that there are currently no water charges, which is misleading. Households pay for water as part of their overall domestic rates - there is no council tax in Northern Ireland - which also go towards education, health and transport.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6498983.stm

This has been a vexed question for some time now - especially since the new rate revaluation system introduced by the last Labour government hiking the domestic rates considerably for some.


In general this new company - government owned but operationally independent (quasi private) has made a poor job of managing the resource....


Four NI Water board members have been sacked following an investigation into how the company awards its contracts.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8563672.stm

And so this story has history and will, no doubt, continue to make history.

On the general point of privatisation I have few problems with the general concept - when robust and truly independent regulation is available to contain the excesses of private concerns, but since when in this country has that been seen to really work in the favour of the consumer?.

The untoward effects of the ever present desire for private companies to protect the ‘bottom line’ will be felt, no doubt, next year when the train operators in the UK will attempt to hike fare prices once again on some lines.

January Train Ticket Price Hike 'Outrageous'


http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Rail-Tickets-To-Rise-In-Price-By-An-Average-Of-62-From-January-2011/Article/201011415823646


Privatisation - fair enough - but for opps's sake regulate it properly.

[TheBoy]

On the rail price hikes - GOOD!

Rather than everyone subsidise them, make those who use it pay for it!

[Lizzie_Zoom]

On the rail price hikes - GOOD!

Rather than everyone subsidise them, make those who use it pay for it!

I agree TB!

If the railway system to be brought up to 21st century standards massive investment is required.  The people who aim to get the most out of the railways should pay for them.   

[TheBoy]

I should also point out I am very much against HS2 - and not just because it passes my front door (its too far from me to affect me).

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I should also point out I am very much against HS2 - and not just because it passes my front door (its too far from me to affect me).

Ah, but that is in the National interest, so that may be one of those exceptions.  Private money will no doubt be invested in it though

[TheBoy]

I should also point out I am very much against HS2 - and not just because it passes my front door (its too far from me to affect me).

Ah, but that is in the National interest, so that may be one of those exceptions.  Private money will no doubt be invested in it though

Why is it in the National interest? Only a limited few will ever be able to make use of it.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I should also point out I am very much against HS2 - and not just because it passes my front door (its too far from me to affect me).

Ah, but that is in the National interest, so that may be one of those exceptions.  Private money will no doubt be invested in it though

Why is it in the National interest? Only a limited few will ever be able to make use of it.

Well the Northerners will be able to come down to the Southerners easily, and visa versa!  We will no longer be a divided nation.  Have we not got closer to the French since the  Chunnel and HS1 was built?   

[cem_devecioglu]

interestingly just finished watching Robin Hood DVD on pc for the second time

after messing up with some codecs that I dont understand well.. wish if it was not too late so I could write long pages..

[cem_devecioglu]

may be simplicity is better..

privatisation in the long term  practicality shows tendency to uplift personal/group/cartels profits more than the societys needs ..   causing the prices to go up.. which then later you need to balance with making extra laws where the community and the senate will face numerous problems ..

history and examples prooved that a million times so I'll cut here..

[Dishevelled Den]

interestingly just finished watching Robin Hood DVD on pc for the second time

  Splendid.

[Dishevelled Den]

may be simplicity is better..

privatisation in the long term  practicality shows tendency to uplift personal/group/cartels profits more than the societys needs ..   causing the prices to go up.. which then later you need to balance with making extra laws where the community and the senate will face numerous problems ..

history and examples prooved that a million times so I'll cut here..

I'm minded to agree with you cem - there may be a fair old capitalist streak running through me but there's also a bit of a socialist in there as well.