Save the Forests and the problem with Big Society.

From Neil via WFA comes a stock reply from out MP with regard to the proposed sell-off of our Forests. According to our representative (or at least representative to the 37% who voted for him) the issue at stake "is not one of ownership" but rather what's done with the forests. It seems from his point of view he doesn't care who owns it provided that it is "protected and managed" and that "current access to the public must be maintained".

And how exactly will that be managed? If the Forestry Commission is set up as a regulatory body for this why take the management away from them. If they don't handle this it will be up to "Big Society" to challenge the owners in the courts.

Unfortunately it seems a product of the same flawed thinking that got all our utilities and public services privatised - public bodies cannot be run at anything other than a loss. Why not? As someone said isn't it amazing how our utilities were suddenly able to make money once privatised, what was stopping them doing what they do now back then?

The theory behind this sell-off, beyond the quick cash and the pitiful yearly saving (£10m/year Forests, £6m/year Parliamentary food/drink subsidy) is that the new owners will want to keep the place well-maintained in order to attract visitors, who in turn will pay the car-parking fees and purchase things from the snack/gift shop. Excellent - now what's stopping the Forestry Commission from doing that?

Don't give me any rot about how as taxpayers we fund it already and thus shouldn't pay 'extra' for its use. Look at what the private public transport services receive on top of the fees they charge us; the fees for driving licences and passports paid to government departments we fund etc. There seems no problem for charging us for services provided by departments or businesses we already contribute to.

Some may think that entire concept unfair anyway - why should I pay both my private health care and your NHS treatment; why should I pay to use my car and for you to use public transport; an attitude that seems to pervade throughout the Conservative Party. A desire it seems to return to the good old days where only those who could afford it were educated; where only those who could afford it received health care etc. Oh wait these will all be taken care of by the "Big Society" or 'charity' as most would rename it.

The concept that the paid-for services will upgrade their equipment and thus sell the old stuff off to the cheaper services who in turn will sell there's on to the charities is humourous to consider given the shelf-life of so much equipment. The results of such an experiment is already known - stratification of society. Those at the bottom will have little opportunity to rise given their poor education and poor health; while those at the top need to do very little to maintain their own standards - how much work does Lord Sugar have to do, how much Paris Hilton? So long as you don't squander it away you and your immediate descendants are set.

This is what the Conservatives are slowly working toward and all with the connivance of the Liberal Democrat so desperate for power.