Long live Tesco

Long live Tesco

12 Sep 2006

Fans of Tesco praise its low-cost, its trustworthy food (and other products), and its convenience; its detractors criticise its ruthlessly monopolistic approach and the unfair treatment of its workers. Should Tesco be subject to more stringent regulations, or does its large share of the market merely reflect its popularity, convenience, and friendly approach?

Arguing in favour of the motion 'Long live Tesco' are are Dominic Lawson, Lucy Neville-Rolfe and Emma Duncan.

Dominic Lawson argues that the concept of supermarkets – supplying customers with a wide range of goods – is superior to the traditional shop concept of offering only a certain category of goods.

Lucy Neville-Rolfe claims that Tesco not only improves the life of their employees (through training schemes and job security) and customers (by offering a variety of healthy food at reasonable prices) but also contributes considerably to society, by launching sustainability projects and enhancing fair trade products.

Emma Duncan emphasises the benefits that a large corporation such as Tesco provides to the population, including food safety and high standards of hygiene.

Arguing against the motion are Simon Jenkins, Joanna Blythman and Giles Coren.

Simon Jenkins expresses his concerns about Tesco as a large and expanding corporation with a disproportionately high share of the market, and well on its way to achieving a monopoly on the market. This, he believes, will disadvantage customers as well as suppliers. He asks regulators to stop Tesco from expanding further in order to enable competition to thrive.

Joanna Blythman also accuses Tesco of intending to monopolise the UK’s grocery market and criticises its expansion strategy. She gives seven reasons for defeating the motion, emphasising Tesco’s unethical treatment towards its workers, exploitation of the environment, and negative impact on society.

Giles Coren cites the decision of an ethical investment fund manager’s decision to disinvest from Tesco due to their negative and socially-unfriendly management – a decision he wholly agrees with. Coren finishes the debate by issuing the rallying call 'Down with Tesco'.

First Vote: 216 For, 268 Against, 227 Don't know

Final Vote: 203 For, 473 Against, 36 Don't know

The motion is defeated by 270 votes.