Crude Britannia - recommended politcal viewing
A few days ago I watched the first episode of the BBC's documentary Crude Britannia - which despite BBC3's growing reputation is actually about the history of oil and gas exploration and production in the UK.
I guess I was drawn to it as its my industry, at least in part. I've spend a few months training to drill oil wells and being a rough neck, and what they tell you on the programme is all true - at least it was a decade ago ( some of the drilling process has become more automated on some rigs since ).
But you should watch it if your interested in politics. Whilst the slightly inevitable left of centre world view which the BBC is so justly famed for comes out, it doesn't spoil the background.
If your under 35 and you want to know what Thatcherism was really all about - look at what was happening to Britain before her.
Also if you have ever read Daniel Yergin's "The Prize" or seen the TV documentary version you'll realise that oil has been central to much of the macro economic battle between countries over 100 years.
In the early 1960's Britain was crippled with debt ( from the second world war - though Gordon has just created a similar amount today ) and had failing industries that couldn't compete ( not so dissimilar to today ).
The one bit of luck Britain had was North Sea Gas and Oil. The revenues gave the Thatcher government the breathing space to conduct its reforms. ( It does not bear thinking about what would have happened otherwise ).
Watching this documentary takes you back to our country at a time of high debt, with unsecured energy sources and when we were having problems paying its way in the world.
That's just where Gordon Brown has just put us back to.
Oil is a critical issue. There's a load of wishful thinking and triangulation about tree hugging energy sources, but they won't keep the lights on. And when the lights go of the truly desperate politics will follow. Most people in this country give little thought to the oil industry that in many ways has kept our country afloat. ( Compare to the coverage the coal mines get in popular culture ).
In the programme you see a pub operating by candle light - I can remember those days (just). However I bet with modern tills, electric beer pumps and health a safety laws they couldn't operate today in the dark. Neither could our massive chilled food supply chain. Which is a shame because its where we are heading right now.
The BBC iPlayer versions can be found below. I recommend an hour watching, especially if you under 35.
Its time we rediscovered what not paying your way in the world ultimately leads to, before its too late.
Episode 1 (recommended )
Episode 2 (Haven't seen yet )
I guess I was drawn to it as its my industry, at least in part. I've spend a few months training to drill oil wells and being a rough neck, and what they tell you on the programme is all true - at least it was a decade ago ( some of the drilling process has become more automated on some rigs since ).
But you should watch it if your interested in politics. Whilst the slightly inevitable left of centre world view which the BBC is so justly famed for comes out, it doesn't spoil the background.
If your under 35 and you want to know what Thatcherism was really all about - look at what was happening to Britain before her.
Also if you have ever read Daniel Yergin's "The Prize" or seen the TV documentary version you'll realise that oil has been central to much of the macro economic battle between countries over 100 years.
In the early 1960's Britain was crippled with debt ( from the second world war - though Gordon has just created a similar amount today ) and had failing industries that couldn't compete ( not so dissimilar to today ).
The one bit of luck Britain had was North Sea Gas and Oil. The revenues gave the Thatcher government the breathing space to conduct its reforms. ( It does not bear thinking about what would have happened otherwise ).
Watching this documentary takes you back to our country at a time of high debt, with unsecured energy sources and when we were having problems paying its way in the world.
That's just where Gordon Brown has just put us back to.
Oil is a critical issue. There's a load of wishful thinking and triangulation about tree hugging energy sources, but they won't keep the lights on. And when the lights go of the truly desperate politics will follow. Most people in this country give little thought to the oil industry that in many ways has kept our country afloat. ( Compare to the coverage the coal mines get in popular culture ).
In the programme you see a pub operating by candle light - I can remember those days (just). However I bet with modern tills, electric beer pumps and health a safety laws they couldn't operate today in the dark. Neither could our massive chilled food supply chain. Which is a shame because its where we are heading right now.
The BBC iPlayer versions can be found below. I recommend an hour watching, especially if you under 35.
Its time we rediscovered what not paying your way in the world ultimately leads to, before its too late.
Episode 1 (recommended )
Episode 2 (Haven't seen yet )
1 comment:
Watching this documentary takes you back to our country at a time of high debt, with unsecured energy sources and when we were having problems paying its way in the world.
That's just where Gordon Brown has just put us back to.
Yes, we had reasonable grounds for expecting we were past all that but oh no - Gordo can't have that, can he?
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