More political spin as Lord Mandelson enters Cadbury saga
Lord Mandelson has today entered the Cadbury saga with a suggestion that potential bidders must not attempt to "make a fast buck" by acquiring Cadbury on the cheap. To all intents and purposes this is nothing but political spin because the shareholders will be the ones who decide the price and whether or not they accept any offers on the table or any future offers which emerge. So why has the UK government entered the fray?
The UK government has stepped aside in the past when foreign companies have taken over UK energy companies, car companies and other vital elements of the UK economy. So why is Cadbury different and why now?
The UK government is purely and simply looking to curry favour with UK voters as we move towards the general election. This is a blatant attempt by the government to side with UK workers when in reality the government has no share stake in Cadbury and cannot purely and simply block any takeover because of the price. Yet more political interference with regards to the UK stock market will not be welcomed by investors in the UK and around the world.
Now is not the time to come forward as a protector of UK businesses when in the past the government has stepped aside to see well-known and well respected UK businesses asset stripped by overseas investors.
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