made in china

[John Pruden]

why has the brains of the government have to go to china for investors in the high speed train set that is about to get going in the uk even without the debate on weather it is viable ?

[John Pruden]

I can't for the life of me wonder why?? we have steal mills closing what do trains run on? we have concrete firms going to the wall? we have enough stone here? that's the main ingredient for track we have some of the best engineers to build the trains? enough people out of work for labour so add all the tax the infrastructure of towns the line passes through and lets not forget the very first railway track was from Manchester to Liverpool so why should another country we go cap in hand to? and by the way some of the line is going through a flood plain and its under ground part of they way or is it just my way of thinking or is it share holders in government that wants it to me its a total waste of money?? jp

[j.sabourn]

John, assume you are talking about your treasurer who was on the news last night. People assume to be a treasurer one must be brilliant mathematician able to do sums. From what I know about the Australian government which will be consistent with most governments is that for two weeks before a budget is produced, the team which consists of over 30 persons are kept incognito behind locked doors for two weeks preparing such. If people think a treasurer jumps in and takes over and pulls rabbits out of hats they must believe in all the adverts on TV also. We have just got a New Treasurer in Canberra, his portfolio before this was keeping the boats out, it will be a long time before he is able to understand most things to do with world events regarding the money markets of the world. However he stands to take the kudos or backlash for things going wrong, yet at the moment he knows no more than you or me, the rest is bullsh#t from the media. Ministers are just the public face that people see the real work is done elsewhere. Cheers John S

[John Pruden]

john we have millions wanting to work here our young sending hundreds of cv's the government paying dole for them to sit in the house skint why not get the dosh back of the eu for the train set that by the way will not make much difference to the workings of the country were the train stops you are still 20 minutes away from central London and costs loads in a cab? to me its a folly . jp

[j.sabourn]

The ideal thing to me as regards the UK and speaking now as an outsider and if what your media reports are anywhere near the truth would be for the UK to deballast all the illegal people in the country, this would of course entail coming out of Europe and resuming home rule. If the common trade agreements are still available that would entail another discussion, but if not, too bad. If the UK does not come out of Europe and stays and loses its Sovereignty which will happen, there is every chance she will also lose the Commonwealth which in years gone by sustained the UK in world trade. There will be many in commonwealth countries who will feel like me that the UK is a lost cause and will more than likely go the republican way, not through choice but by necessity. As most wont want to have trade deals there but will seek locally where they are profuse. Australia will retain its own sovereignty regardless...Hopefully.. John S

[happy daze john in oz]

Quite simple, economics. The Chinese will build it far cheaper than any other company can. We have a similar situation here in Oz, a free trade agreement with China. The unions are against it as they see jobs going with it. But that is part of the problem, the union approach to any major project. Start well but then after a few months the demands come in and the project is over budget and time. Submarines to be built here will more than likely be under a Japanese project, they will not put up with crap so it will be interesting to see how it all works out.
Latest figures from OECD on average hours worked per wee are very interesting. Mexico is the hardest working with 46 hours per week. USA 40, UK and most of EU 38, NZ 37 but here in Oz we are not so good coming in at only 33 hours per week.

[John Pruden]

why should we need any help from anyone or have we lost our own initiative to do anything here my view its a total waste of money in the first place? jp

[Keith Tindell]

Whatever the cost of building come out, you have to add on the cost of thousands of workers that could be doing the job, now drawing unemployment and other benefits. despite what the media portray, i am sure our own workforce would be pleased to take it on. Its a pity we could not vote to employ Chinese politicians, then the bas**** would grizzle, kt

[John Arton]

Cannot see the reasoning behind this HS2 project that both main parties endorse.
So it will shave 20 minutes of the London-Birmingham travel time...huh.
Great for wallyies in suits but they omit the travel time from station to work/meeting place.
Instead of building high speed passenger train lines we should be building and expanding the freight rail network. This would take trucks off the motorways, enable industry to get there goods to there destination quicker etc. etc. and leave the motorways free for the suits in their BMW's and Audi's to zoom up and down the motorways at excessive speeds. Then they can get caught on speeding cameras and have to cough up hefty fines which will make them wake up and plan their days better in order to avoid these fines. This of course would not apply to politicians as they are never caught driving and breaking speed limits but their wives.....boy are they speed merchants.
rgds
JA

[gray_marian]

#9, I was under the impression most politicians liked fast ladies