Conservative party considers privatisation of UK banks
With the UK government owning significant stakes in Lloyds bank and Royal Bank of Scotland, not to mention outright control of Northern Rock, the Conservative party is looking at ways in which these shares can be sold in the most efficient manner. While there have been suggestions, from within the Labour Party camp, that overseas investors were potentially looking to acquire part of the various stakes there is a feeling within the Conservative party of a need to retain control of these banks in the UK.
As a consequence, one possible route to market which the Conservative party is considering, should it come into power at the next general election, is a privatisation campaign along the lines of British Gas. It is well known British Gas (a.k.a. Sid) was the catalyst for what is now a very widespread and very popular shareholder culture in the UK. Being able to use this particular route to market, while also producing a return for the UK government, may well be a very interesting alternative to an outright sale to a potential overseas bidder.
By accident, it looks as though Gordon Brown may well have played into the hands of the Conservative party in relation to these bank investments. If the Conservative party were to win the next general election, it is likely we would see some major changes in the UK financial sector.
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