On 28/03/07, Adrian Stott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > "Steve Haywood" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > That is your belief. It is not a fact, no matter how often you repeat > it. OTOH, a different way of "securing" the property as a formal > endowment to BW could make it very politically difficult for a > government to try to seize it later.
Let us remind ourselves that this strand has been precipitated by press reports that the Chancellor is sniffing around BW's assets. I think it makes it more of a fact that you seem willing to concede. As to your solution securing the property as a 'formal endowment to BW'? What on earth makes you think that that a formula of this sort would work any better that a guaranteed grant? For heavens sake, we've both been involved in politics over the years. We know that when government wants something, government has it - and that's an end of it. Even so, I am charmed to hear someone speaking in such an old fashioned political language. You clearly still believe that contemporary governments feel constrained in taking certain action because it is politically 'difficult'. This may have been the case in the past when the political climate was more condusive to democratic lobbying. Nowadays it isn't the case at all. Governments today pride themselves in confronting public opinion. But even if circumstances were different, what real chance do you think a canals lobby would have to secure resources when education and health have such prior claims? When there are demands for resources for everything from extra policing to rural help? When a whole generation is approaching retirement without proper pension provision? And Adrian, what's wrong with preserving what we've got now? Especially if it's worked, as it clearly has with regards to canals. You may remember, there used to be a political party whose basic ethos was conserving the best of the past before it got involved - as you would have BW get involved - with accountants, estate agents and various other financial shysters gnawing away at its soul. Steve [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
