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Market Solutions

As the credit market continues to tighten, it is clear that major ramifications are already underway. Despite the fact that too many political figures insist that they can do a better job by regulating, in fact the market has a habit of being able to fix its own problems.

Ferrovial, who bought BAA a year and a half ago, are now finding their large debt burden hitting their profits severely.

However, there is a solution: they can simply sell assets.

From the point of view of the consumer, this would be good news. The lack of competition has led to inefficient use of the airports around London. The poor transport links to Heathrow has allowed the BAA owned Heathrow Express to become the most expensive train ride per mile in the world, yet passengers transferring between different London Airports must do so by either coming into London by train, or taking a bus or taxi directly- there is no direct train link.

Breaking up the monopoly would force competition and help to address the costs and the access problems. The invisible hand strikes again!

Comments

Jock Coats said…
Yeah - but they should also have to pay for the airspace they use (LVT). That would concentrate minds a bit I expect!
Newmania said…
I like this post and I sort of like the previous one in spirit at least .


Sadly you are a member of Party who want to raise taxes , expand the state and export decision making to unaccountable foreigners.Furthermore it is well known that you will support Brown and thereby inflict more of the crushing authotitarian state we are already suffering under. I think you want to be economically free market and socially Liberal.
You would be far more at home in the Conservative party.

I know plenty of Liberals and they have are all," Something -must -be -done" people .Always will be .
Cicero said…
Jock- yes it would- and LVT as you know is something I support.

Newmania- I have been a member of the Liberals and the Liberal Democrats since 1979. As you may have guessed one member of my family is a Lib Dem MP, and I am friendly with several others. When I put forward my ideas, I am not a voice crying in the wilderness, I would say that I am in the mainstream of my party. I am socially and economically Liberal- that is why I am politically a Liberal Democrat.
Newmania said…
You must know most of the Parliamentary Party then :)



Then the entire Party could join the Conservative Party then which easily accomodates such views and tolerates difference with good humour anyway.Bits and bobs aside its about the role and scope of the state and if you are on our side you cannot , as Clegg has said he may , support Brown.

Such a position is a farce
Cicero said…
Nice try! However, Tory Love bombs don't alter the fact that the socially conservative element is top dog: Cornerstone alone off sets the few Liberal individuals amongst the Consevatives...

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