Labour could have chosen the public interest over the profit motive when reorganizing the water industry in England and Wales. Despite polling showing support for publicly owned water companies, the government ruled out reversing the 1989 water privatization.
The situation with British Steel highlights the tension between free market ideologies and the practicality of public ownership when faced with systemic failure.
Siptu members are considering industrial action to protest the sale of Bord na Móna's waste management service, advocating for public ownership as a key to efficient waste management.