Support for people with flooded homes

FLOODS AND DISASTERS AND THE DEMAND FOR ‘TOKEN’ VISITS

Who drives the news? The journalists who asked closed questions? The presenters who ‘guide’ the interview with a loaded question? The media channels who carry items and interviews on a daily basis that persuade people what should happen or not? The truth is out there somewhere, but whose truth is it?

Now there is the ongoing issue of rain and more rain; floods and more floods. There is no doubt that people need help and there are many issues. Water meadows and flood plains are so called because that is where the river went when in flood. There is a plethora of agencies that are responsible for our water ways, so-called-flood-protection schemes and local government too.

I remember a Sunday morning in Croydon when Prime Minister Thatcher visited Mayday Hospital to see the staff and those injured as a consequence of the train derailment at Purley. She spoke to Police officers too and on this particular day there was no ongoing situation. It did not interfere with normal policing. It was a Sunday morning anyway!

Today there is extreme flooding in several areas of the U.K. Of course the media and opposition politicians are calling for the Prime Minister to attend, to show that he cares or would he get in the way? He would have to choose where he can go because the areas of flooding are from Wales, the West Midlands to Lancashire and Yorkshire and, even to the other Kingdom, Scotland.

Is such a ‘token’ visit ever necessary. To give support and to show care after an event can be appropriate and Prince Charles will visit Wales. That's what we have come to expect and that is one function of the our Royal Family.

Most of the time let's leave it to those who have a direct responsibility for that location. The local MP, those who manage for the agencies and let them speak with local landowners. Just let them get on with it. What does a ‘token’ visit ever achieve. I hate it when disasters are used to have a go at the government of the day. ‘TOKENISM’ - NO