It sounds like a variation of an old Who song "Meet the new government same as the old government" except that one would have to be wary of the Tories penchant to privatise anything that they can.
To judge by Cameron's speech, which makes no mention of the government's single largest data business, the Conservatives share this aversion to reform. The suspicion must be that the Tory solution is to try and sell off the mapping agency lock stock and barrel. Yet locational information is an essential component of nearly every public data set. To commercialise its supply would be to move in the very opposite direction of setting our data free.
Not for the first time I find myself strongly agreeing with Michael Cross. My one question is if the treasury are unable or unwilling to go down the centrally funded route what would you prefer - privatisation or trying to get the best out of the current model. I know which one I would choose.
A poll Michael?
4 comments:
If the most pro privatization government in history stopped short of privatizing the survey in their 12 years in power- I think your fears about the tories selling it off are misplaced.
Most pro privatisation govt in history?
Gas, electricity, water, telephones, coal, steel - need I continue. They will sell everything they can in the name of fiscal prudence, book balancing and efficiency.
Hold onto your granny!
According to the FT the Treasury has already made up its mind...
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/57388b08-6443-11de-a818-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1
"...and £3bn from the disposal of assets such as the Ordnance Survey and Land Registry."
I thought these Chinese whispers originated from Conservative quarters but apparently not.
@TG
I am not sure that the FT really does know anything. I think the comment may be just speculative, unless you know otherwise. Of course I could be wrong.
My hunch is that this will be reviewed by whoever is the minister in charge and the treasury after the election.
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