Conservatives open the way to selling off state assets?

The Conservative plan for "workers' co-operatives" in the public sector contains a fascinating hint that large chunks of stuff currently owned by the state could ultimately be sold off.

The issue arises from the detail of who would own the assets employed by co-ops in delivering their services. The Tory policy paper appears clear that assets remain with the state:

"While staff will own their co-op, they will not automatically own any of the state’s assets they continue to use, like buildings or land. But because there is significant embedded value in the public service infrastructure and estate, co-ops would be able to lease them for a fee."

Yet it continues:

"They would be free to decide not to use some if they wanted to reduce costs, or to go on to buy them from the state in due course."

Now, I grant you that's pretty vague language, and "in due course" can mean, well, whatever you like. But I wonder if anyone will take a less than charitable view of this?