It seems strange how a 10-minute radio interview can change your opinion of someone. It happened this morning with Nick Robinson’s 10-minute Radio 4 interview with SirJames Dyson. I always enjoy listening to Nick Robinson interviews. Toughness coupled with courtesy. And that rasping voice. I wish I could grow a voice like that.
I had always wondered how someone like Dyson, who was so actively involved with Brexit, could outsource his manufacturing from Malmesbury to southeast Asia. But now I understand.
It’s not just that labour costs are cheaper and supply chains better in Singapore. What really tipped it over the edge for Dyson was the obstructiveness of a British town planning system which refused the expansion of his Malmesbury factory to better cater for worldwide demand. Whilst almost at the same time refusing planning permission for a learning facility near Bath. How typical of the anti-business culture which now seems to permeate everywhere in the UK. From the refusal of North Sea drilling licenses to the over-regulation of our own industries whilst at the same time allowing them to be undercut by imports from overseas. How sad!
You can say what you like about Donald Trump. But at least he’s got his priorities right when it comes to rebuilding America’s industrial base. What about our lot?
Even as we speak, Rolls-Royce are thinking about outsourcing manufacturing to Germany and America because they cannot get the support they need from the UK government. Oh – and ultra high energy costs. And it’s not just Rolls-Royce.
It’s not just the current government. We had 14 years of it with the Conservatives, when Britain’s business interests took second place to their obsession with Brexit. And also about the running down of our public services. What is it about our politicians? Hardly any of them have had a life outside politics.
It’s also why I have been looking at the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, which received Royal Assent in December 2025. Is it really going to make a difference? Only if the planning system is sufficiently resourced to enable planning applications to be pushed through and appeals dealt with quickly when planning permissions are refused. Is that really going to happen? I’m not going to put money on it.
BRUCE AND HOLLY 