The article on Swindon and the role of foreign direct investment (“Former railway boom town aims to get back on track”, Report, November 17) is a fair assessment of the problems currently facing the town.
In the 1970s, 80s and 90s it was indeed the “fastest growing town in Europe”. It had nearly full employment with a balanced economy of manufacturing, distribution and services. It had a vibrant cultural and sporting life, including a Premier League football team among its attractions. Much of this has vanished. Swindon has a down-at-heel appearance. So what went wrong?
Swindon has suffered from financial cutbacks as a result of 13 years of government austerity coupled with two decades of poor administration by the Conservative council, based on the philosophy that the small state (including pared down local government) is the answer to all our ills.
It certainly suffers from the lack of a university despite all our efforts since the early 90s to progress such an institution. It has also failed to capitalise on the presence in Swindon of the Research Councils UK (now UKRI).
Thus, Swindon has been unable to overcome the challenges of the 21st century, especially online shopping and working from home. This has resulted in a rundown urban centre, empty office blocks and an economy concentrated on distribution, with its lower skilled and lower paid work.
In order to attract foreign (and national commercial) investment, Swindon needs to invest its own resources and be freed from the ever-tightening financial straitjacket imposed by central government. I wish the new Labour-run council leader Jim Robbins the best of luck in his endeavours — he will need it!
Tony Mayer
Former Labour councillor, Leader of Thamesdown (now Swindon) Borough Council 1990-1995, Swindon, UK
