Bruce wrote: whatever you may > think of them, there's no point in accusing Defra this time, they are > on our side for once.
My point was that I'm not sure that, ostensibly, having Defra on your side is that much to raise the spirits due to their past incompentencies. I'm still not sure that anyone can rely on Defra for real long term support. My scenario is that, as usual, when there is a massive round of spending cuts (which there must be) in the Treasury planning stage you'll see each department fighting hard to retain its share of the available cake. This also looks good for the staff of the subsidiary organisations (BW et al, in this case) and for the watching electorate affected (boaters in the example that we are considering). Later on, when push comes to shove, and the relevant minister wants to retain his job and cosy up to his leaders to advance his career, then you'll see his department roll over completely and attempt to avoid criticism by blaming the Treasury. Of course, they will toe the party line and put whatever spin on it that Mandelson decides shall be the party line but it won't make any difference to the eventual outcome. There *will* be further budget cuts and cost savings and if the Treasury can get some of that by selling assets then it will. Having said all that Gordon is famous for his frequent and massive U turns recently but we're so deep in the financial mire as a country that I fear he's not for turning this time unless he's convinced that his party haven't a chance at the next election. In that case he'll not be that bothered about the consequences of his actions as he'll be leaving the sweeping up to the successor party of government. Roger
