Hustings promises
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On the hustings in rural constituencies, there will be resolute promises by prospective MPs to improve bus services and divert heavy vehicles without any hint of how this will be achieved. Town dwellers can expect promises of diverted traffic, less pollution, parking bans and a halt on increased weights. Such vote-catching stuff knows no party colours.
It is in the fields of free enterprise and public ownership that the parties polarise. The Conservative policy is for free industry and commerce and encouraging the entrepreneur. There are more of the entrepreneurial breed in transport than in most other industries.
The Labour party left wing is determined to extend public ownership by acquisition of companies put up for sale. This is a policy which the public sector should resist if a Socialist Government is returned. A company is only as valuable as the management that runs it.
If a Conservative Government is returned, there will be pressure to break up the public sector. This should also be rejected. The NEC companies and management are essential to the transport scene and a national asset.
Moderation must be the key word. But during the hustings transport people shOuld ensure that prospective MPs realise how important the industry is.