I’ve been meaning to mention more about this, but other things came up.
On Wednesday 15/07/09, St. Swithin’s Day, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers were in London to lobby MPs and OFWAT about the proposed Water Tax (read all about it here – explained better than I could!). Apparently, this was the first time in the Scout Association’s nearly 102 year history that they had actively campaigned and lobbied MPs on a specific issue.
The campaign has been all over the net with its own YouTube Channel (see the link above) and people Tweeting about it with the tag #stoptheraintax.
Everyone who went did a great job to raise this issue and from what I read it was one of the most successful Lobbies of MPs in many years! One bit of feedback I read that really impressed me was –
MPs were amazed at our organisation
And that says a lot I think!
I wrote to my MP to see if he would go along as, although the Rain Tax wouldn’t have a direct affect on my Group, it could on the Church Hall where we meet. I’m waiting for his reply!
The other interesting thing is that due to the power of Twitter, Scott over at InsaneScouter picked up on the story and wrote about it on his blog (and even referenced me 
).
So now we wait to see if all the hard work the Cubs, Scouts, Leaders and people from Gilwell put in will get it sorted.
Ditto on the letter to the Hon Member and also still awaiting a reply. Had an ‘interesting’ conversation with the County Sec tonight on the digging of drainage ditches.
The joys of administration!
To be fair to my MP, he always writes back if I contact him (and I have a few times on thing Scout related and not), although it does take a good couple of weeks. He nearly always talks sense too!