Post on Woodlands - 07/02/2011 (amended)
Posted by Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset, at 10:32, Tue 15 February 2011:
It is always the unexpected storm that is most likely to blow governments off course. I have received more letters on the proposals to sell off part of the Government’s woodland estate than on any other issue. My correspondents include staunch Conservative supporters who have been in favour of previous privatisations.
The Government is not proposing to sell the ancient Royal forests. The historic oaks of England are not at risk nor will any public access be closed off. The New Forest, where William Rufus was shot, or Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood fame will remain as protected as they currently are. However, commercial woodland could be sold off and charitable trusts could take over responsibility for managing land currently run by the Government.
In many areas once controversial privatisations have become accepted and have benefited consumers. It was striking that over Christmas the freezing weather left thousands of people in Northern Ireland without water as the publicly-owned water company had failed to invest in pipes. Wessex and Bristol Water have invested hundreds of millions of pounds since privatisation and were able to cope with the extreme temperatures. Government ownership has never been a recipe for success, commercial activities are better managed by the private sector.
As a Conservative, I value Britain’s heritage greatly. The oak tree is a powerful and emotive symbol which is why it is the logo of the Conservative Party. Yet commercial forestry should no more be in the hands of the Government than “long fields of barley and of rye”.
Comments
If you are subscribed to HearFromYourMP in this constituency,
log in to post a reply.
Otherwise, if you live in the UK,
sign up in order to
HearFromYourMP.
Posted by Leslie Poynter, 15:02, Wed 16 February 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
Sadly I see no evidence to suggest that the Conservatives value Britain's heritage. You may do so as an individual and wax lyrically about great oaks and fields of barley, hints of better days past, but many of us see Messrs Cameron and Osborne doing much to assure Britain's continuing decline towards third world status.