White. Middle Aged. Middle
Class.
I plead guilty to all three.
There are times, such as now, when these self-definitions, are viewed as at
best suspect and at worst as badges of dishonour.
But I am who I am and I don’t
want to change that. As a businessman spanning five decades, I’ve worked hard,
taken risks and ensured the livelihoods of the people who’ve worked for me. I
know I’ve earned every penny.
As importantly, I want to
ensure that other entrepreneurs, especially those of the next generations, are
able to create wealth for themselves, their families, their workforces and the
wider society.
Capitalism in its purest form
leads to a growth in material opportunity and wealth for ever-increasing
numbers of people as time progresses.
However, there is a subset of
the above who even cause me annoyance because of their attitudes and opinions.
Who do I mean? Well just add
the word ‘entitled’ before the three definitions at the start of this column.
The entitled, white, middle
aged and middle class types are to be found in significant numbers in the
so-called liberal establishment. They publicly affect a tolerant if not
permissive attitude to others, but whenever their own interests are threatened,
they use their considerable influence to stall and undermine projects which
they don’t like, even if these will lead to greater opportunities for others.
Here in Suffolk, the entitled
are at their most raucous over the prospective construction of a new nuclear
power station at Sizewell C being built by EDF Energy.
This project received a major
boost recently when its Development Control Order was accepted by the Planning
Inspectorate, meaning that the final stage in the long consultation process is
now underway.
The project, if it gets the
go-ahead will be a game-changer for the country nationally and for the job and
life prospects of many local people.
Sizewell C will generate
enough non-carbon energy to power 6 million homes over a 60-year period. It
will save 9 million tonnes of CO2 every year and will make a massive contribution
to this country’s legal commitment to a net-zero economy.
I think the penny is dropping
even among self-declared environmentalists that these ambitions are
undeliverable without a growth in energy from nuclear. I recently read an
article in the CityAM website where a former Extinction Rebellion activist
powerfully expressed his Damascene conversion in favour of nuclear.
During the construction of
Sizewell C, at least £125 million per year will enter the local economy and £40
million per year during its subsequent years of operation. It will provide a
massive boost to local jobs and skills during the build period, with 900 highly
skilled staff permanently employed once the station is up and running.
And EDF Energy has made many
concessions along the way, including a commitment to transport at least 40% of
goods by rail or sea during the construction period to minimise the impact on
local roads.
No wonder, then, that business
groups, colleges and community organisations have come out in support of
Sizewell C.
I was most impressed by the
comments of the chief executive of the Access Community Trust who said: “We
have been working over the past few years with fifth generation worklessness
and Sizewell C offers our communities and families the opportunity to find
solutions to some of their employment issues.”
But the reaction of the
entitled was as stark as it was predictable: total opposition. The entitled –
many of whom have made their fortunes and built their reputations outside of
Suffolk and only recently moved in – seem to care nothing except their own
well-being.
They really don’t represent
anyone except themselves. Take a look at their spokespeople: everyone white,
middle aged and middle class.
We mustn’t let the entitled
steal our country’s net-zero future nor must they be allowed to betray local
businesses and local communities.
Ends.
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