20th September 2012, 03:42 PM
Sorry Kevin, I wasn't seriously arguing against you there - just having fun with your choice of examples for state-run services! (The crumbling NHS, the failed bank bailed by the taxpayer...) Please tell me it'd be run much better than them!
However, I'm all for the idea of a properly run nationalised system - if it can be properly run with adequate funding and decent jobs for the workers. My point about the developer setting the value in the current free-market system was that we aren't seen as a "must-have" service that adds value to their plans (like builders, plumbers, etc), but rather a necessary nuisance that has to be grudgingly tolerated and if possible reduced to the least expenditure in order to maximise development profits. In that culture we're kidding ourselves that there is any capitalist gold at the end of the competitive rainbow for us, so as long as we sign up to this divided strategy we'll never get rich. (Heck, most in our profession will never even make the UK average wage...)
The problem remains, however, that in times of scarcity it is difficult for the Gov't to be seen putting even more money into a "luxury" like heritage. And I know all the "heritage tourism economy" arguments, and I even agree with them, but that doesn't mean they hold water in Whitehall when the Treasury says the budget needs to shed billions of public spending and we find ourselves faced up against the military or transport etc. If only I had a magic wand...
So how do we get our industry nationalised in the first place? I'm willing to lose billions of other folks' money and then take a golden parachute like old Fred the Shred, if it helps! }
However, I'm all for the idea of a properly run nationalised system - if it can be properly run with adequate funding and decent jobs for the workers. My point about the developer setting the value in the current free-market system was that we aren't seen as a "must-have" service that adds value to their plans (like builders, plumbers, etc), but rather a necessary nuisance that has to be grudgingly tolerated and if possible reduced to the least expenditure in order to maximise development profits. In that culture we're kidding ourselves that there is any capitalist gold at the end of the competitive rainbow for us, so as long as we sign up to this divided strategy we'll never get rich. (Heck, most in our profession will never even make the UK average wage...)
The problem remains, however, that in times of scarcity it is difficult for the Gov't to be seen putting even more money into a "luxury" like heritage. And I know all the "heritage tourism economy" arguments, and I even agree with them, but that doesn't mean they hold water in Whitehall when the Treasury says the budget needs to shed billions of public spending and we find ourselves faced up against the military or transport etc. If only I had a magic wand...
So how do we get our industry nationalised in the first place? I'm willing to lose billions of other folks' money and then take a golden parachute like old Fred the Shred, if it helps! }