Is Chinese investment in the provision of our nuclear power really such a good idea?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/hinkley-point-reasons-not-to-be-suspicious-of-chinese-investment-a7166576.html

Reasons not to be suspicious of Chinese nuclear investment

A rather curious article from Ben Chu and the Independent, essentially telling the readers that there is nothing to worry about in having huge Chinese involvement in the generation of nuclear power in this country. Rather in the same way as George Osborne heaped praise and encouragement on Chinese investments in the United Kingdom up until a few weeks ago.

Add caption

I recently wrote that personally, I have never been enthusiastic about the Hinkley Point C development. The spiralling costs of the project, which are confidently expected to rise even more and the evidence that time-scale (which is already three years late) will extend well beyond the completion date of 2020, are in themselves sufficient grounds for abandoning the project now. Added to that, the unit price guarantee to EDF (otherwise known as the French Government) well in excess of the current market price will ensure that the British consumer will again be ripped off for energy prices for many years to come. The other huge question mark is the sinister involvement of the Chinese in our domestic energy provision. I can already hear the voices of Unison and the other unions talking about the "thousands of jobs" that this project promises. The evidence from previous ventures of this type demonstrates that the "Jobs", if any, are invariably filled by workers from abroad, In this case, China and France.

Perhaps we are fortunate that a decision on the project has now been delayed until the Autumn. We should abandon the Hinckley Point C scheme as soon as possible.

Comments

Northern Ireland and Brexit. The return of "The Troubles"

Northern Ireland: police attacked in another night of disturbances | Northern Ireland | The Guardian When the "Brexit" debate was still filling our newspapers and our television screens, readers may remember why I had changed my mind since voting to leave at the referendum vote. Apart from the economic arguments, which had become crystal clear after peeling away all the lies and misrepresentations trotted out by Bozo Boris and his "Get Brexit Done" conspirators, there was always the problem of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Would it be possible to have a border between the European Union and the United Kingdom where people, goods and services could pass freely between the two nations without customs restrictions, tariffs, duties and all the other formalities? Would it be possible to have one part of the United Kingdom treated differently from other parts of the United Kingdom, particularly when Scotland for example had voted overwhe

The Parliamentary Labour Party conspirators are hatching another coup.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/corbyn-labour-leadership-rebel-mps-a7202641.html Labour MPs plan for Corbyn victory and plot how to confront an emboldened leader Even for the "Independent", the number and use of unnamed anonymous "sources" in this article is quite astonishing. However, amongst all the usual speculative delusion, there is one factor which causes concern to anyone who believes in the Labour Party, its principles and in he democratic process of the Labour movement. It is abundantly clear that elements within the Parliamentary Labour Party, are even now, planning another coup in the event that Jeremy Corbyn should emerge as winner in the current ballot. The failed coup of earlier this year, has now descended into a sham leadership election, because the conspirators still fail to accept the democratic decision of the Labour party membership and cling to

Plemont development or return to nature?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey- A date has been set for a public inquiry into plans for Plemont Headland. This exceptional location must be sold to the National trust for Jersey, and returned to nature. Any other outcome involving development of the site, can only demonstrate the extent to which greed and self interest have become endemic in Jersey.

Agenda 2019

Search This Blog