Tata Steel wants to sell its works in South Wales
The future of Port Talbot is on the proverbial rails.
One million pounds are lost, so they say
In that plant, employing thousands, every day.

In 1875 Britain produced forty percent of global steel
Industrial revolution, Empire, unrivalled confidence and zeal.
Today that number is a mere one percent
Self-reliance, nostalgia for industry – we all lament.

In China a ton of cabbages costs more than a ton of steel
Subsidies from Beijing, nationalised enterprise, no level trade deal.
Alas short term over supply may cull centuries of British expertise
And when our skills are gone, we’ll have to rely on those from overseas.