Spending an afternoon with CEO’s as a token union representative, I realised the mantra of Reagan and Thatcher has not gone away or diminished in volume. The formula is simple: capital flows to where a profit can be made and favours the sites of greatest return. Government investment can sometimes persuade a softer option but that is frowned upon as a distortion of the market. Accordingly, housing will be built or not built according to market forces and there is no other way – despite the housing crisis. The market is law. If the climate is going into the abyss, a charge on emissions is the only way out; simply factor that cost into the market.

There is some small room to move in terms of sustainability, climate and social justice – for these can be seen as gaining social licence, creating staff loyalty (I work for an ethical company), and meeting customer expectation. Equal pay would come under this, but not unions – unions remain a minor irritation (they used to be a major one but that has been dealt to).

There is no possibility of considering other economic or social relations; their minds are closed – presumably through their education and subsequent training. It is similar to the old USSR and I wonder, given the current stresses, how long before the collapse occurs?