PM recalls Parliament

J52

Blinko

But hey ho, let's develop a theme park in Bedford - not too far from the leafy South East, eh?

Would you rather it wasn’t there? Where would you put it?
Attractions such as this need good infrastructure so that visitors can get there.
So, rail and road links are important, not to mention airports. Good for Bedfordshire!

Sheffield? Ex steel producing area, pretty much in the middle of the UK, easily accessible, good road and rail links, needs employment opportunities, and plenty of people could commute there. NB I have no vested interest in Sheffield, I just looked at a map of the UK.

Blinko

But hey ho, let's develop a theme park in Bedford - not too far from the leafy South East, eh?

Are you really surprised, Blinko? I suspect not

Blinko

But hey ho, let's develop a theme park in Bedford - not too far from the leafy South East, eh?

Would you rather it wasn’t there? Where would you put it?
Attractions such as this need good infrastructure so that visitors can get there.
So, rail and road links are important, not to mention airports. Good for Bedfordshire!

Casdon yes, I was born one side of Storey Arms, moved other side and now moved back , such history here,

Blinko

But hey ho, let's develop a theme park in Bedford - not too far from the leafy South East, eh?

I suppose people can do Chessington and Legoland at the same time

Anniebach

South Wales is dead, I was born in South Wales, ironworks, steelworks, factories, coal mines, all gone, moved back 2 years ago, such poverty

I know Anniebach, you only need to go over Storey Arms, and it’s a different world. Previously seen as backwaters, our small rural towns are the lucky ones now.

But hey ho, let's develop a theme park in Bedford - not too far from the leafy South East, eh?

I have never been aware of Reform being the party of renationisation! Farage is now trying to distance himself from Trump! Shouldn’t’ve had so many selfies taken with him Nige !

South Wales is dead, I was born in South Wales, ironworks, steelworks, factories, coal mines, all gone, moved back 2 years ago, such poverty

MayBee70

Casdon

It’s an odd stance from Reform I think, nationalisation is about as far from survival of the fittest possible. Are they just trying to appeal to the populist vote, or are they moving to the left?

They are quite clever at gauging the mood of the people and then promising them what they want. Our local Reform candidate was asking people what they wanted so he could use it in his campaign.

It’s hypocritical though isn’t it, because nationalisation flies in the face of everything they actually believe in.

It’s the same in what were our industrial heritage towns. Once proud areas reduced to life of the dole with few prospects

It’s the same in South Wales Iam64. Port Talbot is the last vestige of industrialisation in whole communities founded on coal and steel.

Casdon

It’s an odd stance from Reform I think, nationalisation is about as far from survival of the fittest possible. Are they just trying to appeal to the populist vote, or are they moving to the left?

They are quite clever at gauging the mood of the people and then promising them what they want. Our local Reform candidate was asking people what they wanted so he could use it in his campaign.

I live in what in its previous life was boastfully/pridefully called the King Cotton town in our bit of what was Lancashire. As well as mills, we had industry, railway, manufacturing, engineering etc. job opportunities were good and the town thrived. It’s still a good place to live, edge of moorland, 12 miles from Manchester, good schools.
Transport links are hopeless and expensive, though thanks to Andy Burnham, bee buses less expensive than the privatised ones. In rush hour, Trains are full before they reach us.
I’m pleased Scunthorpe may be saved, we need our own Steele work
The north east and north west need investment desperately

Iam64

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Successive governments having been tanking our glorious steel industry since the 80’s. Now we’re down to our last blast furnace, they start to care! This has been coming for the last forty years.

Well FGT let’s celebrate that ‘now we’re down to our last blast furnace, they start to care’.

Yes, it’s been coming, dare we hope the government can do enough to keep the plant in business. My town was thriving 50 years ago, manufacturing, engineering , great mixed economy with plenty of work to be had. I know things change but we need to invest in this plant and create work in the north (east and west, I’m an equal opportunity hopeful)

I admit I don't know much about steel, but it looks as though the plant was about to stop production within days, so I'm glad that the government has stepped in.

Nevertheless, some kind of long-term strategy is needed (already being discussed on the globalisation thread). Cities such as Sheffield and Stoke have been decimated by loss of their major industries, but I don't think we can look to the past. New, sustainable industries need to be encouraged to set up to replace what has been lost - and the investment needs to come from somewhere. I'm no expert, so I don't know what the solutions are, but it's just not acceptable to let some communities rot, while some in other areas are just getting richer.

My understanding is that the Scunthorpe steelworks are at the end of their life. Somebody with expert knowledge needs to be put in charge and the government needs to earmark investment funds.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Successive governments having been tanking our glorious steel industry since the 80’s. Now we’re down to our last blast furnace, they start to care! This has been coming for the last forty years.

Well FGT let’s celebrate that ‘now we’re down to our last blast furnace, they start to care’.

Yes, it’s been coming, dare we hope the government can do enough to keep the plant in business. My town was thriving 50 years ago, manufacturing, engineering , great mixed economy with plenty of work to be had. I know things change but we need to invest in this plant and create work in the north (east and west, I’m an equal opportunity hopeful)

They’re NOT their🙈

Successive governments having been tanking our glorious steel industry since the 80’s. Now we’re down to our last blast furnace, they start to care! This has been coming for the last forty years.

Isn’t appeasing the populist vote Reform’s usual approach?

I hope we can save the plant

Their trying to appeal to the populist vote Casdon.

It’s an odd stance from Reform I think, nationalisation is about as far from survival of the fittest possible. Are they just trying to appeal to the populist vote, or are they moving to the left?

Casdon

Goodness, I’ve just been reading the live feed on BBC. It sounds like a major standoff with the owners.

Yes, police turned up this morning as Chinese owners cars blocked from entry!

I dont think they can resolve the question of whether to nationalise or not overnight. Tice wants re-nationalisation (will Reform now apply this to water and rail?) but its a "where's the money coming from"

PoliticsNerd

ayse

We need Scunthorpe to manufacture virgin, high quality steel. I used to work for a company using only British made steel for oil pipelines. All the orders stated no Chinese or Indian steel.

I’ve been a bit of a fence sitter for environmental reasons but we also need coking coal, at least for now. I’d pay more tax to expand our industries.

The Labour Party needs to get a grip and renationalise our prime industries, not just steel. I loathe Brexit but let’s use our freedom now. We’ll need it in the future for defence and new Universal Theme park. Oh, and ensure jobs for the future.

I don't think old fashioned renationalisation will work now.

How will that resolve the twin problems of wanting to pay low wages and not being prepare to invest? Unless you are in favour of extreme socialism you have to resolve the issue of where the extremes of wealth go.

We certainly need to invest in ourselves.

Land and immovable property are the only items of wealth that cannot be exported.

Perhaps you can tell me where the extreme wealth goes? IMO, wealth is now a global item. Invest where it’s cheap and make huge profits. When that begins to decline, move on. That’s global capitalism.

Goodness, I’ve just been reading the live feed on BBC. It sounds like a major standoff with the owners.

The current owners are saying that the steelworks is not a viable business. That doesn't fit with asking an extortionate price. Which private investor would pay an extortionate price for a non viable business?
If they ask for a high price our Government should laugh.