The British left continues to be torn between continuity socialism and a return to a broad church approach, under which … Continue reading “Nationalisation: the popular idea that never wins?”

The Labour Party has set out plans “to deliver fast and free full-fibre broadband for all by bringing parts of … Continue reading “Labour’s ‘free broadband’ would come at a heavy price”

Several readers of my book Socialism: The Failed Idea That Never Dies got back to me, arguing that the way … Continue reading “Does ”socialism” HAVE TO mean public ownership of the means of production?”

The Labour Party wishes to restrict the pay of ‘fat cat’ executives. This is a policy which is apparently highly … Continue reading “Beware the lure of executive pay caps”

The increasing usefulness of the term “Manichean” counters George Orwell’s excellent advice about choosing short, simple words, wherever possible. Its … Continue reading “All too often, nationalisation equates to centralised, bureaucratic control”

Britain’s railways were privatised in the 1990s, but the policy remain controversial. A recent survey found that 60 per cent … Continue reading “Government meddling has put Britain’s trains on the wrong track”

Many of the 60% of the electorate who favour rail nationalisation may have forgotten, or never known, the depressing days … Continue reading “France gives us an idea of what a fully renationalised railway sector would look like”

Everyone objects to slavery. Employment should be voluntary. This liberal attitude towards labour does not extend to capital. A recent … Continue reading “Nationalisation misallocates capital – for the same reason that slavery misallocates labour”

The question of who should own, run and operate what in the UK rail network is one that can have … Continue reading “The Future of the Railways”