Among the tumultuous events taking place at the same time I am writing this stuff, and which I have entirely ignored, is the postponement of the decision to build a new nuclear power station at Hinckley Point in Somerset.
This project is inconceivably stupid, using a design that has never worked anywhere else yet, that depended on substantial funds from the French and the Chines ( both through state-subsidised enterprises) and would only provide 7% of the needs for power. In order to attract foreign investors on this scale (billions), the UK Government has had to guarantee a high price for future power from the beast ( 2--3 times the current price). There were also rumours that the Chinese had to be promised a chance to build another reactor for us using their technology and their personnel.
The whole scheme was conceived 8 years ago by one T Blair who, with his Chancellor G Brown was developing all sorts of schemes like this off the State budget.
Yesterday, having finally got agreement from the French to proceed, the UK Government said it wanted more time. The luvvies have had difficulty with this project all along. On the one hand, nuclear power is metaphysically unnatural and thus evil, but on the other what on earth would we do if 'the lights went out', which is how they think of a power shortage.
Specifically, should we regard the French and Chinese as (good) investors 'in this country' or as risky partners in something so sensitive?
And here is the link with Brexit. D Orr in the Graun (who is Will Self's missus I think) says the whole thing shows that the Brexit dream of open trading and investment in Britain is now shattered. So far that just looks like schadenfreude showing how silly we were to vote Leave. However, she adds that we shouldn't be upsetting the French any more after the Brexit vote has annoyed them so -- which looks like her saying we should build this monstrosity just to please the French and maintain European solidarity?
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