Has Charley actually failed Dover?
He fought bravely, boldly, brilliantly against the privatisation of our port... but then what? what actually changed at the port? I'll tell you what:
Bob Goldfinger's number 2, the man who was more behind the privatisation that big bob himself Tim Waggott is now in charge. talking to some people I know at the port they long for the bad old days back
The board is the same board that were all behind the privatisation scheme; the now chairman of that board (who has JUST been REAPPOINTED) was as deputy chairman during the privatisation scheme and was all for it
the managers at the port are all exactly the same
so wehn we think about it NOTHING has actually CHANGED at the port. A new MD and a lot more self promotion, but aything of substance? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUT...... What of privatisation........ What of US in the dover community?????????
the harbour boards community fund is nothing, and absolutely meaning less. As Peter noticed amausingly - its SUBSTANTIALLY LESS than waggotts salary. And with "1% of pre-tax profits" why do I get the feeling that profits will mysteriously fall all of a suddenly? It is after all a port run by accountants.
Finally......... what if the port had PRIVATISED? 10 million pounds was the figure I found when I looked back
http://www.lloydsll.com/freight-directory/viewarticle.htm?articleID=20017811127
So all in all, I'd say YES.... charlie elphicke lost the people of Dover 10 million pounds, and we have a port which is no different really from where it all started, may be even worse.