Britain PLC

reblogged from i-thorts' i-Politics

Do They Intend to Privatise Great Britain?

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21st century Britain is quietly been sold-off, part-by-part, to the private sector and no one seems to have noticed. Except you’re truly of course.

The problem of having public assets (or state-run ownership) is they are rich for the picking by the private sector. They are cash-cows, perfect for breaking apart and asset stripping.

This concept of deregulating public-owned companies was first put forward by the Tories in the late 70s and early 80s. When British Telecom, Water, British Gas and electricity giants N-power were all privatized. Along with British Rail and about half a dozen others. (Visit the Guardian's Comment is free for more about privatization during the 80s.)

The famous 1986 "Tell Sid" British
Gas Privatization campaign.

Now we have the slow but steady breaking down of the NHS, the Police, the probation service, and all aspects of the welfare state. The government seem obligated to deregulate the whole of Britain.

Once we have the devolution of Ireland and Wales (with their own parliament -like Scotland- then PLC Britain could almost be a reality.

The Nanny state will turn into the forgotten state. Or worse, just another satellite state of Europe or the US. PLC Britain will be as ripe for takeover as the public owned companies are currently. And just like the post-privatised state-run organisations, PLC Britain will inevitably be run into the ground with a loss for all British Tax payers.

PLC Britain won't be a utopia. Just ask the workers for any privatised company. There will be uncertainty and injustice which far outweighs those of present British justice.

If you want to see policing by the likes of G4S, and a government run like one of Lord Sugar's companies, and the NHS sponsored by Glaxo or Bupa, then keep supporting the present coalition. Or if like myself, you want a return to a Great Britain then vote out the deregulators of out one Great country.

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UPDATE:

The new buzzword for privatization by the backdoor is 'outsourcing'. Whenever you see this word in the press connected to public owned companies, they're craftily making it easier to sell-off the public sector!



You have been warned!

Cyberpunk65

G4S Debacle Continues

reblogged from i-thorts' i-Politics

OLYMPICS: Have Police Saved G4S Security Crisis?

Of the 12 police forces around the Olympics venue, 9 are believed to have been drafted in to shore-up the shortfall in G4S security staff at the 2012 Games.

Olympic Police
Pic: Daily Mail

Sky News have reported that the police have “deployed hundreds of officers” – but that might change in the next few days.

The Police National Olympic Security Coordinator, Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, says that plans “were put in place” so that the police officers could deploy these officers, because  “delivering a safe and secure Games is priority…”

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UPDATE:

It appears that the G4S fiasco could have been prevented. A leaked memo from G4S Head of Olympic Security has revealed that advanced training of new recruits was 'too expensive'.

With 3,000 unpaid volunteers, and students and others in current employment (who's training will have to be rushed before the opening of the 2012 Olympic Games); it isn't surprising that this fiasco has taken place.

RAF On Standby

reblogged from i-thorts' i-Politics

RAF & Navy On Standby -
But No Know Threat? ... So Far...

After reports yesterdaythat G4S have a shortfall in security guards, London 2012 chairman, Lord Coe, told BBC Radio 5 live.

"The reality is ... G4S expected people to materialise ... when they didn't ... we moved very quickly to fill that gap,"

"We will work very hard, we will remedy this - security will not be compromised..."

Lord Coe said he would not comment whether Mr Buckles should quit, saying it was "not" for him to "speculate on."

From 14th July a month of airspace restrictions (of about 30 miles wide) were imposed around London and south-east England, which should not affect commercial air flights.

It has been reported that the RAF has 'lethal force option', if the Olympics are threatened. Sea King helicopters and Typhoon jets are ready to be deployed in a "worst-case scenario". Air Vice-Marshal Stuart Atha said that a plane could be shot down, but the order would have to be given at the highest level of government.

Even the River Thames is covered with Royal Marines returning to Londonon board HMS Ocean providing more security.

The Home Office have planning in place for a severe terrorist threat; although, they add that there is no “particular threat or risk to the Games" known about.

• For more on RAF precautions, see BBC article: London 2012: RAF has 'lethal force option'

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