Neil Clark in The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/may/05/public-services-privatised-leaked-memo
Neil Clark is a UK-based journalist, blogger and writer. He is a contributor to a wide range of UK and international publications. His blog was voted best UK blog in the 2007 Weblog Awards
"... As reported in the Guardian, an aide to Maude confirmed that the government was still "committed to bringing in new models to the public sector – charities, social enterprises and mutuals".
Although the prospect of a "charity, social enterprise or mutual" running and operating your local library or health centre may not be as objectionable as a profit-hungry public limited company, it's privatisation all the same. And behind it is the same old neoliberal dogma which says that state or local authority provision of public services is inherently undesirable and needs to be ended.
In fact, there is no better provider of basic services, whether it be libraries, healthcare, public transport or postal services, than the state.
Only the state can arrange things on a nationwide scale and make sure that provision is universal and standards are uniform. Only the state can ensure that the poor can enjoy equal access to the same services as the rich
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