The news that the
UK Government plans to sell its stake in Eurostar should not surprise anyone. The records of various Westminster
Governments since 1979 when it comes to selling off of state assets leave a
great deal to be desired. A few year ago Royal Mail was privatised on the cheap
and the public have been left short-changed. It has to be unacceptable that state assets,
particularly those which are so vital to infrastructure are being auctioned by
a Westminster government that is simply ideologically opposed to state
ownership.
This proposal reflects the lop-sided nature of UK economic policy.
Increasingly desperate attempts by Westminster governments to balance the
books have been based on painful austerity rather than investment and growth.
Now they are desperately attempting to fill the hole in public finances by
selling-off important assets. This is a short-sighted attempt to make a fast
buck at the expense of the future of the UK’s infrastructure and economic
prospects.
This process may well end with ‘external nationalisation’ where former UK
state assets are owned by foreign governments who pursue their own interests, at
our expense leaving UK citizens powerless. There has to be a wider discussion
on this particular proposal with the devolved bodies in Wales and Scotland. The Eurostar is an international link,
particularly important to our joint participation in the EU and the single
market. Businesses here in Wales will be affected in the long-term by the
decision to sell-off and there will undoubtedly be an impact on our economy in
Wales.
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