Guy Smith @ meeting with guth today

[Clive]

Maybe you could bring the down the NFU then start your own organisation,

I have no desire to get involved in politics , i'm a farmer, if I wanted to play at amateur politics I would maybe be more interested in NFU committee meetings

 

[Hilly]

Maybe you could bring the down the NFU then start your own organisation,

Id join, the lad s switched on !

 

[drumeldry]

I have no desire to get involved in politics , i'm a farmer, if I wanted to play at amateur politics I would maybe be more interested in NFU committee meetings

But you use this forum to further your hatred of the NFU,If you detest it so much put up or shut up stand for election for a NFU position or start a new organisation ran as you think.

 

[drumeldry]

Id join, the lad s switched on !

I think you would soon discover it was ran to favour southern arable farmers and stuff the livestock guys.

 

[milkloss]

I suggest others that don't feel they are successfully representing UK ag do the same - they might just start listening then

In a perfect world you may be right; where one organisation loses members and its ability to affect government etc slowly erodes whilst another grows in strength.

That wouldn't happen though would it? You would end up with a half cocked organisation that didn't have its finger on the pulse or the ability and funds to mount effective campaigns for our benefit. The only ones trying to fill the vacuum wouold be groups like FFA that aren't particularly my cup of tea as a beef/lamb producer and probably the same for the arable boys.

The only answer is to infiltrate and change the old school nature of what we've got. I'm too bone idle to do it and most others on here are the same (sorry but it's true) there's only so much you can do by tapping tits on a keyboard.

If there was a forward thinking innovative farmer that wanted support he'd certainly get it from me but sadly that type of farmer is too busy for the NFU.

 

[Clive]

But you use this forum to further your hatred of the NFU,If you detest it so much put up or shut up stand for election for a NFU position or start a new organisation ran as you think.

it's not a hatred, more disappointment and disillusionment

and I'm as entitled and able to express that disappointment as any other user of this website , I post here as a farmer with my own opinions as you all do, nothing more

 

[drumeldry]

it's not a hatred, more disappointment and disillusionment

and I'm as entitled and able to express that disappointment as any other user of this website , I post here as a farmer with my own opinions as you all do, nothing more

Is that a flying pig i see,Your opinions and agenda form every aspect of this forum.

 

[The Ruminant]

It comes back to the same question which I asked you this morning @Clive: who is going to represent you in Westminster and Brussels?

(At this point I anticipate an answer along the lines of "I don't think I'm being properly represented at the moment so I'm no worse off by leaving, and actually I'm better off financially.....")

In case that was to be your reply (again(!) ) then I'll mention the specific example again: payment of BPS - who would have held the RPA to account if the NFU didn't? No doubt there are numerous other examples of where the NFU are working behind the scenes for us all (members and non members!) too.

I've met you several times and have a lot of respect for what you've achieved in your life so am intrigued by your answer: who is now going to fight your corner with the government and in Brussels?

 

[topground]

Since the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn has been mentioned on a number of occasions it should be remembered that the Democratic process has changed that organisation.
New Labour and the people like Ed Balls, Milliband, Cooper and Harman have been sidelined and replaced because that was what the membership wanted. The membership did not like what the New Labour that they headed were delivering and they were fired.
I have use this as an example of how democratic organisations work and not as a discussion point about the Labour Party.
From what I have read the NFU is not a democratic organisation where the membership can fire those at the top if that membership is not happy with how the membership's views are being represented.
Why would anyone pay to be part of an organisation where they have a 'vote' but they cannot influence who runs the show?

 

[Hilly]

I think you would soon discover it was ran to favour southern arable farmers and stuff the livestock guys.

Aye but there as soft as sh!t and they would have to deal with me and guth lol

 

[milkloss]

Aye but there as soft as sh!t and they would have to deal with me and guth lol

That post just made the thread for me!

 

[Hilly]

That post just made the thread for me!

Ya got to have a bit of banter or life would be boring !

 

[Clive]

It comes back to the same question which I asked you this morning @Clive: who is going to represent you in Westminster and Brussels?

(At this point I anticipate an answer along the lines of "I don't think I'm being properly represented at the moment so I'm no worse off by leaving, and actually I'm better off financially.....")

In case that was to be your reply (again(!) ) then I'll mention the specific example again: payment of BPS - who would have held the RPA to account if the NFU didn't? No doubt there are numerous other examples of where the NFU are working behind the scenes for us all (members and non members!) too.

I've met you several times and have a lot of respect for what you've achieved in your life so am intrigued by your answer: who is now going to fight your corner with the government and in Brussels?

your anticipation of my answer is basically correct and how I see it

I would add though that it's my hope that the NFU would see the "vote" of no confidence by me and others disillusioned enough to leave as reason to either reform or get out of the way so a fresh organisation could be born that was more democratic and relevant today. I realise my resignation alone won't achieve anything but change has to start somewhere

 

[drumeldry]

It comes back to the same question which I asked you this morning @Clive: who is going to represent you in Westminster and Brussels?

(At this point I anticipate an answer along the lines of "I don't think I'm being properly represented at the moment so I'm no worse off by leaving, and actually I'm better off financially.....")

In case that was to be your reply (again(!) ) then I'll mention the specific example again: payment of BPS - who would have held the RPA to account if the NFU didn't? No doubt there are numerous other examples of where the NFU are working behind the scenes for us all (members and non members!) too.

I've met you several times and have a lot of respect for what you've achieved in your life so am intrigued by your answer: who is now going to fight your corner with the government and in Brussels?

I think Clive is like the Liberal party they like to shout everything down in the House of Parliament but actually don't want any power as they would have to make tough decisions.Clive set up this place so has a following and a good start up position to start a rival for the NFU so come on Clive put up or shut up.

 

[The Ruminant]

your anticipation of my answer is basically correct and how I see it

I would add though that it's my hope that the NFU would see the "vote" of no confidence by me and others disillusioned enough to leave as reason to either reform or get out of the way so a fresh organisation could be born that was more democratic and relevant today. I realise my resignation alone won't achieve anything but change has to start somewhere

My anticipation of your answer was that I anticipated you wouldn't give a clear answer!

So, third time lucky (and I'm genuinely intrigued by what you'll say): who will represent you now?

 

[Clive]

My anticipation of your answer was that I anticipated you wouldn't give a clear answer!

So, third time lucky (and I'm genuinely intrigued by what you'll say): who will represent you now?

Right now no one, which in my opinion is no different to what we have in the NFU - I don't think they represent uk ag well, they represent a minority of farmers, badly, they certainly don't represent my view on many subjects as is well documented, in many cases they represent the complete opposte of my view (GM for example)

i thought my last post was pretty clear - i.e. my answer is as you anticipated

 

[Mad Farmer]

Guy,

Likewise,

I tried to make it a balanced and fair report of the meeting and as accurate as possible however as you know a lot of subjects were covered and as I was writing that post from memory I didn't want to miss-quote either you or the SW chap, so there maybe comment's/ viewpoints from either of you that i have missed so if you think anything needs to be clarified/ or has been missed that you want added then please let me know and i will amend the opening post,

GUTH

We have the future team.
Guy. President
Guth. Vice
Can we vote for that

 

[gone up the hill]

Aye but there as soft as sh!t and they would have to deal with me and guth lol

Don't worry I made it VERY clear to David and Marilyn Handley that they lied and it was an utter disgrace the way that they used their sheep farming members back in the summer when they started the latest round of direct protests by way of promising them the massive demo at Bridgewater was about both the milk and lamb price and even had flyers to this effect only to drop the sheep farmers the next day when Morrisons offered them talks about the milk price only!!

BTW the NFU didn't do a good job on me yesterday, quite clear at the end of the meeting that there was only one or two minor points that both myself and GS agreed on and for the most part we are still miles apart on agreement on most subjects!! but it would be totally un-professional of me to come on here and start a thread about the meeting and start attacking the NFU, the best outcome of the meeting and posting it on here is if people discuss the issues I raised and say that they agree/ dis-agree with the NFU viewpoint or people like myself.

To expect anything to change after a couple of meetings is pure folly, I think the biggest problem is the power the NFU council have and the fact any change in regards things like OMOV has to go thru and be agreed by them, and quite clearly they will not vote for it as that would be like Turkeys voting for xmas, what the answer is and if it can be forced thru without the agreement of the 90 member council ( if grassroots members want it ) I do not know!

Another big problem like I already have said is the secrecy around the voting results and which people the county delegates vote for, quite clearly in this day and age this sort of thing has no place in a union!

And the comparison with the situation about voting in your MP/ the PM of the country and the NFU elections was made by both Guy Smith and the RPA yesterday!

 

[DRC]

Best post so far, I only pay a membership because of financial benefits, I suspect most are the same, take away the Mutual discount and all other associated discounts within a few years they wouldn't have many members at all.

Shop around, and you can get far better quotes on insurance than the NFU.

 

[Hilly]

Don't worry I made it VERY clear to David and Marilyn Handley that they lied and it was an utter disgrace the way that they used their sheep farming members back in the summer when they started the latest round of direct protests by way of promising them the massive demo at Bridgewater was about both the milk and lamb price and even had flyers to this effect only to drop the sheep farmers the next day when Morrisons offered them talks about the milk price only!!

BTW the NFU didn't do a good job on me yesterday, quite clear at the end of the meeting that there was only one or two minor points that both myself and GS agreed on and for the most part we are still miles apart on agreement on most subjects!! but it would be totally un-professional of me to come on here and start a thread about the meeting and start attacking the NFU, the best outcome of the meeting and posting it on here is if people discuss the issues I raised and say that they agree/ dis-agree with the NFU viewpoint or people like myself.

To expect anything to change after a couple of meetings is pure folly, I think the biggest problem is the power the NFU council have and the fact any change in regards things like OMOV has to go thru and be agreed by them, and quite clearly they will not vote for it as that would be like Turkeys voting for xmas, what the answer is and if it can be forced thru without the agreement of the 90 member council ( if grassroots members want it ) I do not know!

Another big problem like I already have said is the secrecy around the voting results and which people the county delegates vote for, quite clearly in this day and age this sort of thing has no place in a union!

And the comparison with the situation about voting in your MP/ the PM of the country and the NFU elections was made by both Guy Smith and the RPA yesterday!

Aye your a gid lad guth keep up the good work !!!