It’s Not Just Corruption, It’s Changing the Rules Against Us
What is State Capture?
State capture is when powerful groups – like big corporations or wealthy individuals – twist a country’s laws, regulations, and institutions to serve their own interests, not the public’s.
It’s more than simple bribery; it’s about rigging the entire system.
From There to Here
We used to think this was a problem for poorer countries, where foreign companies would plunder resources under the banner of "investment." Today, it’s a clear and present danger in so-called developed democracies like our own. We saw its eCects under Trump in the USA, where oligarchic greed was put before democracy and public services.
The Distraction in Plain Sight
Right now, much of our media is fixated on Nigel Farage and Reform UK. Their antics are destructive, but they also act as a useful sideshow. This focus distracts from a deeper, more sinister shift happening under the current government.
Starmer’s Government: Not Incompetent, But Ruthlessly Effective
Many call Keir Starmer’s government "incompetent." But if you measure them by their *actual* goal – transferring power and wealth from the public to global corporations and billionaires – they are frighteningly competent. They are not failing; they are succeeding at a project the public never voted for.
How is This Happening Here and Now?
The government is using tools unlocked by Brexit – like secondary legislation and extreme executive powers – to push through changes with minimal scrutiny. This isn't the old-fashioned, petty corruption of the past. This is a wholesale redesign of who holds power.
State Capture on Our Doorstep: Examples Affecting the Northeast
This isn't just theory. Here’s how it’s playing out in areas that impact our region and our lives:
The NHS: Steady privatisation, putting profits before patient care in our local hospitals.
Our Water: The scandal of privatised water companies (like Northumbrian Water) dumping sewage while paying huge dividends to investors continues unchecked.
Local Democracy: Cancelling or postponing local elections to force through unwanted restructuring of our councils.
Jobs & Trade: Promoting "Freeports" like Teesside, where normal democratic rules are sidelined in favour of corporate control.
Our Rights: Eroding workers' rights, the right to protest, and access to justice through fast-tracked laws.
Our Data & ID: Pushing through Digital ID schemes and data centres that represent a corporate grab for control and resources.
This Can Feel Overwhelming. What Can We Do?
It’s designed to feel hopeless and too complex to fight. The first and most powerful step is to see it clearly. We must recognise this project for what it is: a deliberate, competent takeover, not a series of mistakes. From that understanding, we can build effective resistance.
A future article will discuss practical ways we can organise to counter state capture and reclaim our democracy. [Paddy Boocock - Majority Writing Group]