I agree with you N1mrod, our rather pathetic politicians of every hue just seem to respond to every bit of drivel written on social media and reach out for the populist vote whenever they can. And that highlights one of the biggest problems any shooting organisation has at the present time..... namely that any old clap-trap can be put on line without any truth or verification and before you know it, it's gone "viral" and accepted as truth, with the gullible ready to believe any old tosh and the aforementioned politicians running to catch up to give their "valued" opinions.
The other problem is with the various organisations is that there are plenty of people prepared to moan about the work they do, but these same people never seem to volunteer when it comes around to elections to the various groups and pass on their wisdom! Alastair Mitchell - he of shooting times fame - at least had the balls to stand up and be counted and get elected to BASC, he admits that he doesn't agree with all that BASC do, but he's prepared to stand up and be counted rather than just moaning in the back row. So the next time you disagree with a political stance or an organisational viewpoint, write to your MP/MSP/organisation and say something rather than just grumble away.... believe me, some of the responses you get make it much more interesting and if enough people write/moan in the right places....who knows what'll happen!
I too have written 3 times to my MP and questioned his response I sent an 'expert' response as requested to the proposed changes to .50 cal. I also wrote to the then home secretary after my MP had passed my letter to her and I felt her response was pathetic. I was a consultee on Findhorn which BASC lashed up.
How much have you done?
I know I have the right but also the responsibility to stand up for shooting and against ineptitude like BASC. There are some at BASC who want it to change so its not just moaning its applying pressure legitimately. I havent a cat in hells chance of being elected to BASC. Kalahari has tried twice now and no doubt will again but he's banging his head against a brick wall with insurance being the main concern and less than 4 % of the membership voting. BASC e.g. is very controllable.
