With the Royal Mail losing millions and a pensions black hole of £ billions the coalition is increasingly of the view that part or wholesale privatisation of the service is the only way out. I don’t agree. When something is a natural monopoly, I don’t see how the service could either improve or cost less following such a move. Such a bad move. Oh well, we will see what the coalition decide and whether they think it’s a battle they can win not only in the country but also in the houses of Parliament when I am sure Labour will go against the move, despite it’s origins coming from Peter Mandelson.
The more I asked you about eh HMRC mistake the more it seemed ridiculous that people are being asked to pay money back that was miscalculated. I think heads need to roll and they need to think very carefully about whether this is a good way to spend money that will probably cost to raise as it would to simply write off.
And on to Tony Blair. This week we have been reminded just what a good politician he is. It seems remarkable to me that he has not been asked various questions. Everyone goes on about Iraq and Gordon brown – yet those two areas are just a small part of his role. What about the money he has earnt? The religion he changed and statements he made that led to massive public expenditure that perhaps didn’t lead to action. Or the immigration that changed the country or the regulation that failed in the financial system. It’s not all negative and it’s interesting to see just how good he is. I wonder what would have happened if he had been in control and PM when the crunch engulfed the country. It might have been a very different outcome.
We also had a long textathon about potatoes. The biggest in the world is 8lbs and 4oz and with that in mind you sent in loads of suggestions of things you can do with them. From removing bugs from car windscreens to making hats and turning into children’s paint tools. Oh and eating in various ways.
I am in for James Whale for the next fortnight on Drive and also back tomorrow as usual from 4pm