On 21/10/06, Adrian Stott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> ":
> >>
> >> Where do you get this information about Conservative policy, Adrian?
> Can you
> >> source it for me?
>
> Sorry. It was told to me in confidence.
>
> >> I have been told by Central Office as recently as last week that the
> policy
> >> derived from the James Committee was still official policy, though as
> I
> >> understand it, responsibilty for examining the waterways lies with
> John
> >> Gummer's Quality of Life Commission, part of Cameron's policy review
> >> process. You seem to be suggesting that this has reached some
> conclusion
> >> that has been publicised.
>
> I believe no change has been publicised.
I have done considerable work on this since Adrian's reply and I have to
conclude that whatever his sources, mine - more than one, well placed and
impeccable - are telling me a very different story. I understand there is
considerable push from within certain sectors of the Conservative party
to change the financial status of BW. Discussion has so far ranged from
privatisation options to complete financial restructuring. However, no
policy has been finalised. As I said in my posting above, responsibility for
formulating policy on the waterways lies in the first instance with John
Gummer's Quality of Life committee, one of a number that Cameron has
instigated.
This is scheduled to report 'sometime next year' - his office can't/won't
tell me when - and is currently taking submissions at
www.qualityoflifechallenge.com
I think it would be worthwhile peppering this site with suggestions; I shall
certainly be making a submission myself. It seems to me this is a way of
effecting Conservative policy before it gets entrenched along traditional
lines. A significant response would let the party know there are potential
votes in this issue, and some of the suggestions that people have made might
even get them thinking outside of the box - which is what Cameron says he
wants. What about a SOW submission? What about using the website to
encourage individuals to make representations, Mike?
Steve
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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