I thrill when I read about British motor companies doing well. It is in my blood.

I then pause to reflect.

Successive British governments have neglected manufacturing, preferring to see salvation in financial services. This worked in the sense that the better paid in financial services made a great deal of money, which found its way into London property but into also luxuries and among these are British motor cars.

So we have record figures from Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Maclaren – which is great, or is it?

It is wonderful that these companies are doing well in the world, but it is it good for the country? Bentley has a whole new lease of life under foreign ownership. Jaguar may soon be the beneficiary of a decision by Tata to make batteries in Britain, and all this is good. It keeps well paid jobs.

George Orwell’s book, 1984, had a divided society with those who had and those who didn’t. We are not there yet, but perhaps we are heading in that direction. Middle management jobs have gone; we have many fewer middle paid jobs, but many more low paid with households needing two earners each often with more than one job. They are unlikely to be home owners.

Yet, we do have quite a few well paid jobs and they are buying British made luxury cars.

There is an old adage, wealth like manure is better spread. Would we be a better, healthier economy with more people buying lower cost British cars? Or has that ship already sailed? Are we better off simply serving the super-rich?

Serious question and truly I don’t know the answer. For now I rejoice in British manufacturers doing a great job.