The UK industrial sector is facing significant challenges due to a lack of investment and vision, contrasted by China’s rapid advancements. Incoming Labour business and industry secretaries are expected to implement emergency rescue packages to prevent imminent closures, as seen with Jonathan Reynolds advocating for a legal takeover of British Steel to save 3,500 jobs. This situation echoes historical instances, such as Tony Benn’s 1974 intervention to support workers forming a cooperative to rescue motorcycle manufacturing at the failed BSA plant in Meriden, Coventry.