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Originally Posted by Gogogo
PFI, again sorry but I think there is no room for old fashioned left extremist dogma, screaming Trots & SWPers hate it: too bad. The private sector needs to be involved in reconstruction its good for them and for all.
Foundation hospitals let's see the jury is still out on that, there is also room for the private sector in education, selective education yes we need to have a shake up, we should invest in the best, again there is no room for dogma.
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Regarding PFI. It's a good idea (in theory). However, it has one major flaw (the same one shared by privatisation). It relies too heavily on the companies doing the work being fair and honest.
I am not on some anti-corporate rant, but in my experience, the companies that provide services will make a profit out of them any way they can. Some companies WILL overcharge if they have the opportunity to, and this DOES happen. For instance, when I worked for our local hospital, we were paying £500 a day for fruit and vegatables (from a large trade greengrocer). I could have got the same selection fruit and veg (but better quality) for less than £300 a day at Sainsbury's. As any greengrocer will tell you, Sainsbury's do not provide the best quality fruit and veg either).
The point I am making is with privatisation (and with PFI according to friends I know who still work there) is that the contracts granted are often too open to abuse. A lot of companies do not abuse their contract. However, enough do that it is causing major financial problems.
Anyway, back on topic. Would John Smith have made a good Prime Minister? I don't know. He did create the whole "New Labour" thing, but is Tony Blair just carrying on with his policies, or creating new ones of his own?
One thing is for sure. He would have made a better PM than either John Major or Tony Blair.