Douglas Fraser
Business and economy editor, Scotland
Getty Images- Nationalised companies are on the way back, in Scotland and in the rail sector.
- One of the reasons is that the British model of the firm is so tarnished and unresponsive to the needs of the age.
- Radical reform is being urged that would force firms to consider responsibilities beyond their shareholders.
The election campaign has brought back a big debate about the reach of the state into the economy and ownership of companies.
Labour wants to nationalise rail, mail, energy supply, English water companies and broadband. It wants the state to become a manufacturer of medicines.
Rivals see this…
