Harry Arnold, of Waterways Images, is running it and there's already a website - www.saveourwaterways.org.uk - run by Mike Stevens with full details of the campaign and its programme of action against the Defra cuts that started in October and are due to move up a gear over the weekend of November 25/26.

 What seems astonishing about this entire devacle is that Defra seems intent on sliding delicately to the side on the issue of responsibility.

When I called Defra's press office for a chat, I was given a statement: 

So it was their money that got our waterways where they are today and now they have to take the rough with the smooth because Defra's having a spot of bother.  

Nothing there about the "administrative chaos and huge overspends that Defra was responsible for", which the British Marine Federation (BMF) sees as one reason for Defra's current impecuniosities.

Another reason, says the BMF, is the refusal of the Treasury to make up the shortfall.

There are some in the industry who suggest this refusal to cough up and save Defra's embarrassment has its roots in the huge cost to the country of the Iraq war and another £200m was out of the question.  They could be right - who knows?

The list of actions planned against the cuts makes good reading. In a very short space of time, a huge amount of work has been done and the list of of actions now stretches right through to next February.

Please take some time to look at the website and see whats happening.  Through the website you can also access David Milliband's own blog.  It makes interesting reading, especially the responses from the general public.  And the one from Nigel Hamilton, vice chairman of the association of pleasure craft operators (APCO). 

This one is going to run and run.  Congratulations to everyone involved for getting it all up and running so quickly.  And everyone else could add to the furore by getting their own MP to back the Early Day Motions and help give the government a kick up the Defra...

E-mail pnash@boatingbusiness.com