Adrian Stott wrote:
> "Sue Burchett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
>
>> Having gone through this once, which included trips to Parliament to hear
>> the arguments first hand, you will find this is as emotive as fox hunting.
>> We won that time.
>
> At that time, IWA, RYA, DBA, and other boaters groups were all
> lobbying for the EA waterways to be transferred to BW. NABO was the
> only national one that didn't. A shame the boating community could
> not have stood united then. If it had, we might not have cuts now.
>
> In the end, EA triumphed by suggesting that having BW managing its
> navigations would cause flooding problems, conveniently ignoring that
> BW already runs navigation on the Severn, Trent, Lea, etc. without
> such problems. We can be better ready to counter such inaccurate
> scaremongering this time.
>
>> If you combine this with the sow campaign you will lose support.
>
> I doubt it. Who is going to oppose eliminating duplication of
> authorities?
>
>> As Richard said, win the campaign then try to change the running of the
>> waterways, or words to that effect.
>
> On the contrary, I believe we have to propose a better way to run the
> waterways *in order to* win the campaign. Just shouting "cancel the
> cuts" is not going to persuade the chancellor IMHO. We have to show
> other savings are available.
>
I agree. I've been wondering when an interviewer is going to
ask me "Mr Brown didn't budge when the truckers protested, what
are you going to when he says "No!" to reversing the cuts"?
The more I think about it the only real answer is to suggest
reviving the National Navigations Trust idea. Lets face it. If he
reversed the BW/EA cuts he would then have to do the same for the
other bodies that have suffered cuts. Its a dead ender unless he
funds the entire £200 million loss from the Contingency Reserve.
That would then be an embarrassing turn-around. I think he would
look better if he 'solved' the problem by merging all navigational
authorities and made sure they were financially sound. Why, that
way, he might even be able to save the 180 jobs. What a political
coup that would be.
--
Will Chapman
Save Our Waterways
www.SaveOurWaterways.org.uk
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