Martin Meenagh blog

A Test

A national train franchise is demanding "£1.4 billion" from Her Majesty's Government to keep running. This money would be in the form of a foregone payment for being allowed to run the franchise. Maintenance and upgrading contracts have already been assigned; the company plans to continue paying shareholders even if it cannot pay the government.

No. In some cases, like this one, public ownership is more efficient and effective than private ownership. We should let National Express default, give it time to find the sums owed, and then, if it cannot pay, enforce the charge. Then a non-profit national trust should run it.

The people should keep the Royal Mail, now making consistent profits, ring-fence national insurance, and take back the railways.

You know it makes sense.

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