Yesterday the UK Labour party suggested bringing several companies / industries into national ownership. Thinking about this i think maybe theirs is a step to far but maybe some things “should” be government owned and managed. The next 10-30 years we have to transform the economy to be more green.
I suggest the UK government should nationalize the “grid/networks” for “essentials”, but leave the delivery of services in the private market. ie set up 2 national network which would be wholly and solely owned by the government
- The “Energy and Water grid” grid ( Gas, Electric, Water )
- The “Transport grid” national grid – roads / rail / ports
This would allow…
- the government to focus on the physical infrastructure and green strategy at the national level
- re-sellers / franchise holders to deliver services to end consumers.
- private companies to supply services to the government ( ie power stations / reservoirs )
It would require a transfer of assets at market value cost so private companies did not loose out. I’d argue that would be worth it. One could alternatively do this by stricter regulations on the private companies but that would be a halfway house I believe.