Danger of corporatism
Sir: John Biffen's interesting article 'Underestimating Mr Benn' (26 November) makes the point that the aforementioned Tony Benn should not be treated as 'an irrational hate figure'. Of course he is right. But what is needed is strong and rational opposition to what Mr Benn stands for.
What a future Tory Government should not share with Mr Benn is a liking for mixing up private and public investment in companies. The whole history of this kind of venture since Mussolini introduced it has been that it is liable to corruption, nepotism and inefficiency. It also produced a kind of entrepreneur who learns how to use the State money. Corporatism does create industrialists who know how to 'play the system'. In fact, this kind of corporatism will probably be more dangerous in the future than old-fashioned nationalisation.
Michael Ivens Director, Aims for Freedom and Enterprise, 5 Plough Place, London EC4
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