I notice Thames Water is collapsing under a mountain of debt (paying dividends to their shareholders was surely a tad unwise!!) and the other nine English water companies are in similar hock. English consumers pay the highest water charges, leaks are rife and waterways are full of excrement/pollution. Privatisation was sold to the public as an efficiency measure - you'll pay less for better quality water. The government knew it was a lie btw!!! It was a multi-million pound wealth transfer to shareholders!! Shares were priced at a low value to attract shareholders and guarantee a successful sale of public assets. People/investors cashed out their profits and the firms were sucked in to private equity., institutional investors and large foreign infrastructure firms. Ever since, the companies have been loaded with debt to enable large shareholder returns while investors have been exposed to minimal risks and a passive OFWAT regulator. So what has this to do with Scotland eh?
The question immediately arises: "How did Scotland dodge this bullet'"? MORE THAN 90% OF SCOTS OPPOSED WATER PRIVATISATION!!!! So, in March 1994, Strathclyde Regional Council organised the biggest council referendum ever held in Scotland. The people were asked, "Do you agree with the govt's proposal for the future of our water and sewerage services"? Over 70% of voters turned out for this referendum vote and 97.2% SAID NO!!! Remember this was a period before devolution took effect in 1997!! The chancing British Govt dared not proceed with less than 3% support!! And Scotland's water remained in public hands!! And that is why our water is cheaper and cleaner than England's water. However, the Tories got their revenge (nothing new there eh!!) - they abolished Strathclyde Regional Council in 1996, probably because it stood up to the Tory British Govt. WESTMINSTER IS COMING FOR OUR WATER AGAIN, JUST AS IT CAME FOR OUR OIL AND RENEWABLES. TO STOP THE THEFT, THE SCOTTISH PEOPLE (INCL MANY READERS OF THIS Sb BOARD) MUST WAKEN UP, RECLAIM THEIR VOICE AND RESTORE THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE COUNTRY THEY LIVE IN, BELLA CALEDONIA.
The question immediately arises: "How did Scotland dodge this bullet'"? MORE THAN 90% OF SCOTS OPPOSED WATER PRIVATISATION!!!! So, in March 1994, Strathclyde Regional Council organised the biggest council referendum ever held in Scotland. The people were asked, "Do you agree with the govt's proposal for the future of our water and sewerage services"? Over 70% of voters turned out for this referendum vote and 97.2% SAID NO!!! Remember this was a period before devolution took effect in 1997!! The chancing British Govt dared not proceed with less than 3% support!! And Scotland's water remained in public hands!! And that is why our water is cheaper and cleaner than England's water. However, the Tories got their revenge (nothing new there eh!!) - they abolished Strathclyde Regional Council in 1996, probably because it stood up to the Tory British Govt. WESTMINSTER IS COMING FOR OUR WATER AGAIN, JUST AS IT CAME FOR OUR OIL AND RENEWABLES. TO STOP THE THEFT, THE SCOTTISH PEOPLE (INCL MANY READERS OF THIS Sb BOARD) MUST WAKEN UP, RECLAIM THEIR VOICE AND RESTORE THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE COUNTRY THEY LIVE IN, BELLA CALEDONIA.