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Dirty Business TV Drama

(59 Posts)
Moonwatcher1904 Mon 23-Feb-26 18:13:40

There's a new real life drama on Channel 4 tonight called Dirty Business starring Jason Watkins and David Thewlis. Its in 3 episodes. It looks quite good.

Greciangirl Thu 26-Feb-26 17:52:32

Luckygirl3.

I heartily agree with every thing you have said.especially about Thatcher.

Dreadful woman who ruined just about everything to do with politics.

I have also watched all three episodes and it’s one shocking thing after another.
But how do we know for sure that things will change?
Let’s hope they are carefully monitored and held to account.

missdeke Thu 26-Feb-26 15:05:41

I've seen the series and it is absolutely appalling the way the water companies have behaved. The government too have a lot more to answer for too. The deregulations put in place by David Cameron and the like have caused havoc to many aspects of our country. We have never been in such a state as we are now, roads, water, building to name a few have been destroyed in the name of making cash, renataionalisation would be unbelievably expensive but it's the only way we can ever be safe again.

Susieq62 Thu 26-Feb-26 15:02:02

Plus Australian investors ,Macquarie , came out really badly ! Asset stripped no investment , big dividends! Totally obscene behaviours

Susieq62 Thu 26-Feb-26 14:59:41

Binged watched it and knew about SAS but not aware of the lying, deceit, environmental damage!
Thatcher and Cameron have so much to answer for in terms of privatisation and deregulation !!

Allira Thu 26-Feb-26 14:53:12

It was a waste of time voting for Blair, I only did so in the hope he would halt and reverse the privatisation of the water industry.

Allira Thu 26-Feb-26 14:49:14

We knew it would all end badly.

vegansrock Thu 26-Feb-26 14:48:13

Those bosses should be in jail never mind fined. Water along with other essential utilities should definitely be in public hands - at the moment they are all owned by the Chinese and other foreign countries.

Allira Thu 26-Feb-26 14:32:34

Luckygirl3

This what I added to the other tread:

I have watched all 3 episodes.

This is the Thatcher legacy - utilities privatised so that the profit motive is bolted on to what is basically a service (not that Thatcher even understood that word) - shareholders to be remunerated, bosses to be paid massive uncontrolled salaries and bonuses, lots of money spent on window dressing and PR.

I have no idea how we crawl back out of this. Public services are simply wrecked.

It's going to cost an extortionate amount of money.

Not one of these companies and their investors should get a penny in compensation. In fact, they should be fined heavily for wrecking our water industry.

But, of course, those at the top of the Environment Agency would probably report that all is in order. 😡

Moonwatcher1904 Thu 26-Feb-26 13:10:39

It's the Post Office scandal all over again. Cover ups. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Greed over money and what makes me more angry is that these people get nice bonuses and meanwhile ordinary people like us pay for it through our bills.

twiglet77 Thu 26-Feb-26 09:52:59

Greed is at the heart of so much wrongdoing.

Luckygirl3 Thu 26-Feb-26 09:50:57

And how much would that re nationalisation cost?

No doubt a lot - but the privatization also cost a lot and has proved to be deeply wrong in every possible way - philosophically, morally, practically. We cannot duck the need to re-nationalise.

I seldom feel vehemently about anyone, but Thatcher was a woman for whom I frankly felt total hatred. I was working in a public service (social work) when she came crashing in with her privatisation and outsourcing, and services have never recovered, with a massive toll in human misery. And her wiping out of industries and whole areas of the country's wealth and livelihood created more people in need of care services.

And all based on an economic theory that erroneously treated national budgets like domestic budgets.

She was a woman without humanity or morality.

Luckygirl3 Thu 26-Feb-26 09:41:38

This what I added to the other tread:

I have watched all 3 episodes.

This is the Thatcher legacy - utilities privatised so that the profit motive is bolted on to what is basically a service (not that Thatcher even understood that word) - shareholders to be remunerated, bosses to be paid massive uncontrolled salaries and bonuses, lots of money spent on window dressing and PR.

I have no idea how we crawl back out of this. Public services are simply wrecked.

RosiesMawagain Thu 26-Feb-26 09:37:07

Also I don't understand why the Environment Agency doesn't do a better job at policing our water and protecting us?

The phrase “noses in the trough” springs to mind along with “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”
Cynical, moi?

Grantanow Thu 26-Feb-26 09:32:14

Unlike other privatisations the water one created effective regional monopolies. A very bad idea. Thank you, Tories. I think the companies should be nationalised without compensation but the heavy cost of improvements would fall on the taxpayer.

Allira Wed 25-Feb-26 23:07:43

Also I don't understand why the Environment Agency doesn't do a better job at policing our water and protecting us?

We missed the last part of the programme but will try to catch up tomorrow.

Deregulation by the Tories, the Environment Agency awash (excuse the pun) with money from the water companies, self-regulation and people at the top stopping those with integrity from doing their jobs properly.

MartavTaurus Wed 25-Feb-26 22:55:34

I'm not sure that even if the water companies were to be re nationalised that things would be any better? And how much would that re nationalisation cost?
Also I don't understand why the Environment Agency doesn't do a better job at policing our water and protecting us?
The situation is disgraceful, but those two men were quite remarkable.

Allira Wed 25-Feb-26 12:27:57

Capitalists, foreign companies, wealth funds based in tax havens.
I'm so 😡 I didn't finish the sentence

Capitalists, foreign companies, wealth funds based in tax havens like sharks taking over one of our fundamental necessities. Let them swim in our waters!

Allira Wed 25-Feb-26 12:24:57

Gran22boys

The River Lym in Dorset was declared “ecologically dead” just a couple of years ago. I remember it when Kingfishers could be seen there. This is 21st century Britain. It’s shameful.

It’s shameful.

It is shameful.

I wonder what Margaret Thatcher would think now. Did she truly believe that privatisation of national industries would improve services? Perhaps she was naïve and did so, because, certainly, we needed change after the Trade unions had a grip on the country. I remember the strikes of the late 1970s, filthy streets, rats running around.
Did she think she was putting power in the hands of the public ie shareholders?

Because it's been a disaster. Capitalists, foreign companies, wealth funds based in tax havens. We have no say and, watching that programme, our own Environment Agency and other official bodies are complicit.

Even if the water company is "non-profit making", they are completey failing.
x.com/Feargal_Sharkey/status/1976919823041909065

We need more heroes to stand up to these companies.

BridgetPark Wed 25-Feb-26 12:09:12

friendlyginger, I found I could not understand Industry the last episode at least. Talk about blinding with you gobbledy-gook, non of it made any sense, if you actually tried to decipher what they were saying. Surely they cannot make another series???

Gran22boys Wed 25-Feb-26 11:29:22

The River Lym in Dorset was declared “ecologically dead” just a couple of years ago. I remember it when Kingfishers could be seen there. This is 21st century Britain. It’s shameful.

Eloethan Wed 25-Feb-26 00:29:51

Sorry, I started another thread as I hadn't seen this one.

friendlygingercat Tue 24-Feb-26 12:44:18

I love watching business dramas whether real of fictional. I great one is Industry on BBC. Its about the financial market and the way these cut throat companies operate. Love it!

Allira Tue 24-Feb-26 12:44:02

Foreign investors care only about profits, not providing a good or even safe service for people.

Chocolatelovinggran Tue 24-Feb-26 12:39:06

It's extremely well done. Thames Water is still in a little bit of trouble ( understatement here), years on from the events portrayed. Sadly, this group is now in charge of my supplier, Southern Water.
However, over the years, there has been money for executives, PR people, and shareholders, so there is that..

Allira Tue 24-Feb-26 12:36:11

Grandmabatty

Wasn't this part of Margaret Thatchers privatisation plan? It clearly hasnt helped the ordinary man and woman. Fortunately Scotland didnt quite follow the same path, although there are still issues with under investment

The rivers are polluted and wildlife is under threat in Wales too.
Welsh Water is 'not for profit' but it seems to make no difference. Welsh water rates are high and due to increase substantially.

So where is the money going?