There was so much unproductivity amongst nationalised industries, especially in the 70s, which neither Conservative or Labour governments dealt with that it was inevitable that this thistle had to be grasped. Unfortunately it took Thatcher to do so and we ended up going to the other extreme. Not only did these get sold off to already rich businessmen to make them even richer, but in the case of utilities, the governments failed the country by then allowing them to make further fortunes by selling them onto foreign companies.

It's ironic how people change their minds about things though isn't it? Wasn't that long ago when Corbyn was being rubbished by so many for raising the ghosts of nationalizing key industries and utilities again. Most of this was too many people being influenced by the Right Wing press of course but after 13 years of Conservative government maybe people are waking up?

Personally, I believe certain essential services and utilities should be nationalized. The trick, of course, is to learn from history and ensure sound business principles so that they are run efficiently and their management accountable.