The Unflushable Mind.
Where Current Events and Bowel Movements Collide in a Symphony of Futility.
Well, even I think I'd struggle to curate a greater cornucopia of national and world bullshit than I have today, least of all my own. You see, I'd really like to believe I have at least some control over the way my thoughts come about and translate to my writing, but I don't. Even now, I don't know how best to describe it, other than, well, you know when you're desperate to go to the toilet, and as hard as you squeeze your sphincter muscles, it becomes a constant battle to contain what's inside until you've sat down and let it go? This is me with ideas. Not that I'm suggesting there's any conflation between what I write and human waste, although some may disagree. It's simply the first analogy that springs to mind—and, quite frankly, I'm stuck for something better, and possibly to some, even more appropriate.
So, in today’s losing battle of internal containment, where thoughts just blurt out like they’re in a desperate hurry to escape, I began to question where the ‘Great’ has gone in ‘Great Britain’. And, quite frankly, I am shocked by what followed! I will be amazed if you’re not too. Read on.
Britain's shift from a manufacturing powerhouse to a more service-oriented economy is a complex process with multiple contributing factors. Firstly, globalisation has significantly altered the landscape of manufacturing. The rise of emerging economies with lower labour costs has led to the relocation of many manufacturing industries, impacting traditional sectors in the UK. This global competition has placed immense pressure on British manufacturers to remain competitive, often proving challenging.
Shifts in economic policy have played a crucial role. The move towards a financial services-dominated economy, particularly from the late 20th century onwards, has led to a decline in investment in manufacturing infrastructure and innovation. While this focus on the financial sector generated prosperity in certain regions, it also resulted in the decline of traditional industries, once the backbone of the British economy. This decline created unemployment in previously thriving industrial areas, impacting skilled workers. Simultaneously, countries such as China, for example, experienced significant economic and workforce growth, partly due to these global economic shifts, and at a significant cost to Britain, and its workforce.
So, when Trump talks about making America “great again” - arguably, he has a valid point. This got me thinking as to what would make Britain ‘Great’ again, and here’s what I came up with -
Hypothetically, Britain could leverage its historical strengths and adapt them to the modern global economy. This would involve a strategic focus on advanced manufacturing, technological innovation, and specialised services. Considering Britain's legacy as an industrial powerhouse, a resurgence could begin with targeted investments in:
Advanced Manufacturing and Technology:
Focusing on high-value manufacturing sectors like aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy technologies.
Investing heavily in research and development, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence (no, not Members of Parliament!), robotics, and sustainable technologies.
Revitalising industrial regions through the creation of technology hubs and innovation clusters.
Specialised Services and Global Trade:
Reinforcing its position as a global leader in financial services, creative industries, and higher education.
Developing new trade partnerships and leveraging its historical connections within the Commonwealth.
Capitalising on its geographical location to enhance its role as a key player in global logistics and trade.
Infrastructure and Skills Development:
Modernising its infrastructure, including transportation networks and digital connectivity, to support industrial growth.
Investing in vocational training and education programs to develop a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of modern industries.
Addressing the need for sustainable energy production, and distribution.
Strategic Government Policy:
Implementing industrial policies that promote innovation, investment, and exports.
Creating a stable and predictable regulatory environment that encourages business growth.
Fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia to drive technological advancement.
By strategically focusing on these areas, Britain could potentially revitalise its industrial base and regain a stronger position in the global economy. But, there again, what do I know? I’m just a nobody with a keyboard. It seems to me though, that we’ve gone from neglecting traditional industries that were once the backbone of the British economy to having no backbone at all. What is it we still own though, aside from the Crown Jewels, and for how long? Don’t hold your breath.
You see, foreign ownership spans various sectors, including energy, water, transportation, and ports. For example, companies from countries like Spain, Germany, Australia, and those in the Middle East have invested heavily in UK infrastructure.
This includes things like airports, rail networks, and utility companies. This wide range of foreign investment means that a lot of essential services are now being run by companies based outside of the United Kingdom.
Historically, examples include the Spanish company Ferrovial's acquisition of BAA, which operated Heathrow and other major UK airports.
In the rail sector, German company Deutsche Bahn's purchase of Arriva demonstrates foreign involvement in public transportation. They’re not alone, by the way.
Also, the ports sector has seen foreign investment, with companies like DP World from Dubai having acquired significant port assets.
Now, on the one hand, you may be perfectly fine with this. Or, at least the illusion of it. Until you wake up to the fact that as much as foreign investment can bring benefits, such as increased capital and expertise, which can improve infrastructure, it also raises concerns about national security, control over essential services, and the potential for profits to leave the UK economy - and this, dear reader, is the biggie!
Even more so, are the (what the eyes don’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve over) financial puppet masters who pull the strings that we, if ever, see and hear about - unless you’re on the G (choose a number) Summit, invitation list somewhere.
Macquarie Asset Management:
They are consistently ranked among the world's largest infrastructure managers. They have a significant presence in UK infrastructure, with investments across various sectors.
According to sources like Infrastructure Investor, Macquarie Asset Management tops rankings of large infrastructure managers - based on capital raised.
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners:
Brookfield has a global presence, including substantial investments in UK utilities, transport, energy, and data infrastructure.
3i Infrastructure plc:
This is a large investment trust that invests in core infrastructure businesses, primarily in the UK and Europe.
HICL Infrastructure PLC:
This is another major player in UK infrastructure investments.
Just think of us all as the mushrooms at ground-floor level of society. You know, kept in the dark and showered with shit. We know nothing about any of this because we’re not meant to. If we did, we’d be out on the streets protesting about it. Why? Because it’s ours, for the most part, had-earned cash that’s getting sucked away into the vortex of who knows what, and where knows what, to further enrich large global corporations and their executives who, more than likely, I suggest, lead millionaire, if not billionaire lifestyles off of all our backs.
Meanwhile, us poor suckers - yes, the mushrooms, on the one hand, are juggling to pay the next utility bill, and meanwhile, Tesco CEO Ken Murphy's pay package nearly doubled in the last year. Specifically:
He received almost £9.93 million.
This included:
A base salary of £1.64 million.
An annual bonus of £3.38 million.
£4.91 million from a performance share plan (PSP).
And then we wonder why the cost of living is so high! How much money is enough for execs like him, exactly? Here’s a groundbreaking idea. Why not be happy with a million, and put the rest back into enabling pensioners whose only choice is eating or heating to enjoy a better quality of living through your stores? That’s not too radical, is it? Ah well. At least on the plus side, I suppose, Tesco is still wholly British.
Look, I’m not against having money in the bank, good luck to anyone who achieves success and the benefits that go with this. But again, I have to question exactly how much cash is enough? It just seems morally corrupt to me.
In the next post, I’ll be looking at how this impacts society, and why Britain is potentially sinking into the reality of a far lesser than ‘Great’ Britain after all.
(In the meantime, I need a seriously long lie-down after such brain exercise. I mean, THAT was work!)
