Successive UK governments have allowed our prized companies to be taken ove r by foreigners - euphemistically describing it as "inward investment". BP is the largest contributor of tax to the UK Treasury and one of the largest dividend payers on the LSE. Most people'spensions are dependent on these d ividends. To allow it to be sold and taken off-shore would be absolute madn ess.
Other countries have legislation to restrict foreign takeovers, whereas we give them open access. Uniever was targetted 3 weeks ago but escaped. Who will be next - Shell, Reckitt, LSE, BAT, Imperial Tobacco, GKN, Diageo, ITV ? They all will go - it's just a matter of time
I look back in dispair at the UK businesses or brands that have been sold t o foreigners and so no longer contribute to the exchequer. Their profits ar e siphoned off to provide dividends, pensions and tax revenue in other coun tries.
Here are some of the names that are no longer UK owned.:
Cadbury, ARM (computer chips), Land Rover, Jaguar, MG, Crosse & Blackwell, Leyland Trucks, Blue Circle Cement, Coventry Climax, Perkins, SABMiller (br ewing), Scottish & Newcastle, Tetley,Rolls Royce Cars, Bently, Camelot, Wee tabix, Brooke Bond, Branston, British Airports, British Ports, Bond, 75% of all the bus operating companies, 80% of alll the water copnies, 90% of all the electricoty suppliers, Robertsons (Jam), Gales Honey, Boots, Raleigh, Asda, Thames Water, Colemans, Harrods, House of Fraser, Walkers Crisps, Har tleys Jam, Lotus, Wiseman Dairies, Typhoo, Terrys Chocolate, Bass, beefeate r, Chivas Regal Glenlivet, O2, EE, The Times, Hamleys,Umbro, ManUtd, Ribena , Lucozade, McVities and many more.