EUROPE

Privatisation, prosperity and the people?

15 years ago

The Port of Dover, after finding it wasn’t easily gaining ground in the argument about ending the port’s Trust status and going for privatisation, is trying to win hearts and minds with an upload on YouTube.

Dover has a long Trust-port tradition, but the board says it needs privatisation cash to stay competitive

Called “Port of Dover, privatisation, prosperity and the people”, the short item features – amongst others – the port’s CEO Bob Goldfield, who explains that the port gives a huge injection of cash into the local economy, and needs to stay competitive. This means, he says, accessing cash for expansion, particularly the T2 ferry terminal.

However, Mr Goldfield’s additional argument that the port has “managed to invest £330m in the port in the last thirty years, over £100m over the last ten years … generally without borrowing”, may backfire since it seems to point out the stability of Dover’s present Trust Port status.

The item can be found on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8mfIzQp7Y0