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Wednesday Open Thread | 35 comments (35 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)
Re: Wednesday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)
Although it probably doesn't matter to anybody otside the UK, today is the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Beeching report on the destruction rationalisation of British Railways.

Many blame Beeching alone, but it's worth pointing out that he merely faithfully fulfilled the brief handed to him by the Minster of Transport, Ernest Marples, a man who earned his money s a senior Director of many companies with interests as diverse as road building and road freight transport.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Wed Mar 27th, 2013 at 02:32:36 PM EST
Re: Wednesday Open Thread (none / 0)
I wonder if they require any of the profits to be reinvested in the UK. Otherwise the likely substantial profits will just add to the current account deficit. Do they figure no one outside of government or industry will be bright enough to notice or that they will not be taken Seriously?

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Wed Mar 27th, 2013 at 05:03:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Wednesday Open Thread (none / 1)
No, 50 years ago nobody ever questioned such things, Ministers were supposed to be high minded working for the benefit of the nation. Who could have imagined such a thing ?

He retired in 74 and fled Britain early in 75 when the tax authorities asked about the 30 years worth of back taxes he owed. Sadly he'd managed to smuggle most of his assets abroad and he died in France 10 years later living in luxury.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Wed Mar 27th, 2013 at 05:12:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Wednesday Open Thread (none / 0)
I was talking about the search and rescue contract just let, given this context: Britain's current account deficit at worst level since 1989. The UK has its own currency and can always pay with it for services obtained from UK residents. And the US corporation that holds the search and rescue operation contract could agree to keep their profits in the UK, by, for example, purchasing UK real estate, or not.

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Wed Mar 27th, 2013 at 10:19:54 PM EST
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Re: Wednesday Open Thread (none / 0)
Good grief, that would be interfering with the free movement of capital. No self-respecting conservative govt would do that

keep to the Fen Causeway
by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Thu Mar 28th, 2013 at 03:49:47 AM EST
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Re: Wednesday Open Thread (none / 1)
And apparently no other party will criticize them for running up the trade deficit on behalf of the looters.

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Thu Mar 28th, 2013 at 01:08:14 PM EST
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Re: Wednesday Open Thread (none / 0)
ARGeezer:
running up the trade deficit on behalf of the looters.

ARG, that's their job description.

you know, front centre on the Secret Mission Statement.


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty

by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Thu Mar 28th, 2013 at 01:43:15 PM EST
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A steam pedant writes (none / 0)
I've just realised that this BBC report on the subject features a lot of engine classes that had been withdrawn from service (GWR King and LNER Thompson A1 at least) before the report was published

keep to the Fen Causeway
by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Thu Mar 28th, 2013 at 05:00:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Wednesday Open Thread | 35 comments (35 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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