Independent Leyton Orient Forum

How depressing is this Report:

HMP Styal: Suicide-hit women's jail 'hell on earth

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-m ... r-68553761

That's a grim read.

I think that this is also a contender for this week's "state of Britain" feature, as we are now a country that no longer produces its own steel.

I fully understand the need in the 21st century to be efficient & competitive in all aspects of commercial activity - but I feel successive governments have lost sight of the need for self-sufficiency in key areas. We should be able to produce our own steel; produce our own coke from coal in our mines; control our energy and communications systems, etc, etc, etc. I'm not in favour of nationalising everything but governments should be looking to ensure that we can control our own country's basic affairs without having to wield influence over foreign companies or governments to achieve our needs.

Don't get me started on social services and the NHS!!!

Indeed so. What is the point of Brexit if we are so reliant on companies in other nations for our basic needs? So many of our once-leading companies have been sold-off on the cheap...Shocking. Truly shocking.

I thought producing steel from coke was particularly dirty (the Port Talbot steelworks being the UK's largest CO2 emitter). Arc furnaces produce high quality steel from scrap, so it's better for the environment. Once they're built we will still produce steel - just in a cleaner way. Or have I got that wrong?

Give it to Jabo :- So many of our once-leading companies have been sold-off on the cheap...

Me:- Mrs Thatcher sold off the very profitable Nationalised Industries: Telecomm, Electricity, Gas, Thomas Cook etc far far too cheap. Punters were falling over themselves to buy at ridiculous prices. Their mates made a fortune. At the same time they had sold off a massive revenue stream for the Government. No wonder our taxes are so high and our essential services have no money.

Real Al wrote: ↑Thu Mar 21, 2024 1:47 pm I thought producing steel from coke was particularly dirty (the Port Talbot steelworks being the UK's largest CO2 emitter). Arc furnaces produce high quality steel from scrap, so it's better for the environment. Once they're built we will still produce steel - just in a cleaner way. Or have I got that wrong?

Yes. Who is "we"?