Bbc this lunchtime
- 31 January 2010 14:5339228the privatisation of the port was under discussion and three of our leading light politicos were interviewed up on the cliffs, gwyn, chas and the lib dem chap(no victor i notice).
nothing much came out of it as far as i could see.
did anyone see it? - 31 January 2010 15:3239229Howard. Which program? Is it available on IPlayer?
- 31 January 2010 15:3539230i think it was the politics show bob, it started off with our own bobby goldfield telling us all the benefits we will get, apparently even more than we get now!!
- 31 January 2010 16:1539233I need to lie down after all those benefits I didn't know I was getting.
- 31 January 2010 19:2139252Yes I did hear about is and again no I was not asked,which is sad not only am I standing next time but also Dover is my home town,also even in the local papers it is all about the blues or reds,On big local issue,s like the the selling off the port all partys should have their say,but it has always been the same, so there is nothing I can do about it but keep on trying and pushing forward and that is what I will do.
We all know by now not to take the word of Bob Goldfield he is looking for the big payoff and then goodbye Dover,I told this to his face more than once and will be doing it again,I did not see the show so I have nothing to say about it for now,but it would have been nice to be asked along to it.
- 31 January 2010 19:2439254i fully agree with you vic, who had even heard of the libdem bloke until he was parachuted in a week or so ago.
- 1 February 2010 03:3439293Bob Goldfield gave a competent performance. The reporter asked him if it would be British or foreign companies purchasing the port and he reiterated what he said on the local news a couple of days ago, namely that he was spreading the net as far as possible and that finance is global, thereby giving the clear impression that he expected the finance to come from abroad. When asked if he and the rest of the board would benefit from the sale of the port, for example with shares, he answered this by saying that there was an employee share participation programme. He stated that there would be no management buy out.
Gwyn was adamantly opposed to privatisation, as he always has been. He also stated rather optimistically that the Shipping Minister was only seeking views on what other options were available, not necessarily privatisation. An interesting point he made was that there are ways in which outside finance can be attracted if required, without privatisation, adding that this was despite what the harbour board may say.
Charlie Elphicke was asked by the reporter why he was against privatisation when the Conservatives were so for it at the last election, and also what difference his viewpoint would make when the party leader was in favour of privatisation. I thought he struggled a bit and the reporter interrrupted him more than once.
John Brigden, the LibDem parachuted in from Sevenoaks, made some noises about the local population getting some benefit from the port.
The programme is on BBC iPlayer and the Dover bit starts about 28 minutes in:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00qjx83/The_Politics_Show_South_East_31_01_2010/ - 1 February 2010 08:4539295Look at what has happened with other sales - eg airports - Gatwick has been stripped by privatisation and the foreign purchasers have no interest in anything but taking the profit out and stripping assets - why would they do otherwise?
Same happened with our lost the car industry.
The Port is too important and strategic to give away like this. The government is only interested in short term gain = we must consider the long term for the Town.
If this sale goes thru I hope that they stick in a clause that £1 increasing per passenger is given to the Town then we might have a chance of recovery. - 1 February 2010 11:3439310Absolutely spot on David, and thank you for phrasing it so well. I think fighting the privatisation is similar to Canute fighting the tide, but as you say, let's hope it's not given away.True friends stab you in the front.
- 1 February 2010 12:5639316Andy - this is why I believe that it is better for our local reps to be there fighting for a good deal for Dover rather than just opposing it.
- 1 February 2010 13:3939324I posted on the front page the following web address for news on the Port privatisation and a survey being conducted by Charlie Elphicke.
http://www.elphicke.com/ - 1 February 2010 17:0339336Looking at the link above, the first thing that hit my eye was "Gordon Brown is selling off Port of Dover just as quick as he can."
Sometimes I think we are living in a parallel universe. This is exactly what Charlie's party were trying to do at the last general election when it was supposed to be ever such a good thing. It is also exactly what local Conservative luminaries Barry Williams and Paul Watkins are advocating. I also have no doubt that it is exactly what the Conservatives will do if they win the next general election.
Privatising everything is what the Conservative party does. It is also precisely what Charlie Elphicke is recommending for everything else except the Port of Dover:
"Selling off a range of public bodies would be a "get out of jail card" as the Tories desperately try to balance the books, according to tax lawyer Charlie Elphicke, who has advised the party's economic team........Mr Elphicke said the Tories should consider selling BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, which could bring in an estimated £8 billion to the Exchequer. Mr Elphicke said Royal Mail and Channel 4 could also be sold, and banks returned to the private sector."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/6142962/Conservatives-float-plans-for-massive-privatisation.html - 1 February 2010 19:3639354Ed,
Here's the Treasury document detailing the sale of our port: http://www.hmg.gov.uk/media/52715/oep-assetportfolio.pdf (see page 73 onwards). You will see Gordon took Charlie's advice and is in fact selling off BBC Worldwide.
And here's the Minister's Parliamentary Statement last Monday where the Government press the whole thing ahead: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100125/wmstext/100125m0002.htm#1001256000023
I understand how upsetting it must be for loyal, longstanding Old Labour stalwarts to see Gordon Brown privatising our port. While I approve I do understand how you must feel it's a betrayal and a let down. - 1 February 2010 19:5139356Barry. I see that according to the Treasury document the Met Office too might be up for sale.
As a supporter of privatization can you assure us that this will lead to better weather? - 1 February 2010 20:2039357
- 1 February 2010 21:2639366Firstly, I thought BAA owned Gatwick airport, and they are a British company, but am hapopy to be corrected. Have they been sold recently?
Gwyn's other way to get money apart from privatisation is the obvious Labour trick of borrowing, again. Funny how they never stick around to sort out the paying back; i.e Callaghan government and previous Labour group at DDC. I suspect the same will be true of the current shower too.
I suspect the only serious contender for purchase is Dubai Ports, but even they are living in a world of crumbling finances. So, the money may not even be there for the deal to be done.
As a tax payer I would rather NOT have ANY nationalised industries and have my taxes focussed on Health, Education, and Defence. I certainly don't care if BBC Worldwide and/or Met Offices get sold off. Sooner the better in my book. In fact I'd flog the BBC in total and kill the tv license once and for all. - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
1 February 2010 21:3839370all partys are as bad as one another.all partys borrow then bugger of. - 1 February 2010 22:0239375barry
i have strong doubts about ed being a stalwart of any party, let alone old labour.
i think you attempt at labelling will prove to be well off target. - 1 February 2010 22:1839382Sorry Sid as you turned your back Ferrovia took over BAA - british in name only Spanish actually!! Crime isn't it!
Client of mine is a Director of the company in Dubai that owns PandO and he thinks we are mad to think that they have our interests at heart or will do anything other than be lead by the Profit motive! Once lost these things can never be got back no matter what international crisis / change occurs
Glad to see you here
D - 1 February 2010 22:4539386Howard - I was not specifically directing that at Ed but it was a general comment.