Nigel Stanley wrote: > 2009/11/19 Keir Gale > <[email protected]>: >> Cameron might be doing a Blair in terms of stealing his opponent's >> clothes, but I doubt the Tories will use that increase to fund a >> redistribution of wealth. >> >> Ok, maybe they will, in the same way that the New Labour Tories have >> been doing... from poor to rich! >> >> Keir >> >> > > Another factor that may hit the waterways with a change of government > results from BW being within DEFRA. > > The Conservatives are much more of a rural party than Labour - (for > example their stance of hunting). They see farmers and other rural > interests as part of their natural support. > > Whether this is a good or bad thing is beside the point ( and I'm not > wanting to provoke a blood sports argument!). But it does mean that > new DEFRA ministers may want to divert funds from their budget to more > traditional rural and farming interests. > > It will therefore matter a lot who the ministerial team is. A good > waterways ministers may be able to fight effectively to defend the > budget from even bigger cuts than the ones I fear. > > There have been good and bad waterways ministers under Labour. I > imagine that will also be true under the Conservatives. Let us hope > that someone who actually wants the job gets it in the first share out > of ministers.
It used to be BWB did better under Labour and EA (well theThames) did better under the Tories. Seeing as our new leader in waiting, (fast tracked by the landed gentry) did most of his schooling beside the Thames, then this will probably hold true. -- Neil Arlidge Anglo-Irish-Dutch Barge Maurice A TNC http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/tour.html
