Cycling UK Forum

According to the latest 'Cycleclips' newsletter the Camerons have been offered family membership of CTC. Why? Because one family member is seen on a bike, possibly as a PR stunt. Was the membership consulted over this? Are we going to offer membership to every other MP spotted on two wheels, or just the millionares?! Aren't we rewarding the Tories for having done precious little for cycling? Lobbying is one thing, but sucking up to politicians is quite another. As apparently it takes £25000 to really impress 'Dave' I hardly think he'd be swayed.

i got the same email from the CTC and it also made me livid. the fees are a considerable sum for some of us, but not for those with £30m in the bank.

i understand that it takes 10x that to impress him, btw.

Perhaps it's a cunning plan to embarrass him.

He'd be called ungrateful if he turned it down but greedy if he accepted it. Perhaps he'll shell out and join anyway (if he needs the insurance, that is. I suspect he's well-equipped with Goretex coats.)

i think it is a reasonable courtesy to extend to the Prime Minister and his immediate family.

It's known as politics. What a dark art.

Can't say I'm in favour but then I don't think much of politicians as a breed.

Anyway, surely he could afford family membership given his recent tax windfall

Ron wrote:i think it is a reasonable courtesy to extend to the Prime Minister and his immediate family.

+1. Personally I don't see this as much of a problem. I hope the Prime Minister of the country joins our club.

Who will pay for his membership fee?

He's paid 24/7 to do his job 24/7. If he's not being PM, he's shirking and I'd like a refund on my taxes.

Ron wrote:i think it is a reasonable courtesy to extend to the Prime Minister and his immediate family.

To how many previous PM's has this 'courtesy' been extended?

DavidT wrote:

Ron wrote:i think it is a reasonable courtesy to extend to the Prime Minister and his immediate family.

+1. Personally I don't see this as much of a problem. I hope the Prime Minister of the country joins our club.

I totally agree about it being a reasonable courtesy, after all, we are all in this together.

Mick F wrote:Who will pay for his membership fee?

He's paid 24/7 to do his job 24/7. If he's not being PM, he's shirking and I'd like a refund on my taxes.

You can have one,if you're on 50% tax rate

craggie wrote:

Ron wrote:i think it is a reasonable courtesy to extend to the Prime Minister and his immediate family.

To how many previous PM's has this 'courtesy' been extended?

How many previous PM's have reduced the 50% tax rate

Well, I expect he will be joining us on the forum soon. What will his strap line be?

jezer wrote:Well, I expect he will be joining us on the forum soon. What will his strap line be?

We're in it together. L L

thirdcrank wrote:Perhaps it's a cunning plan to embarrass him.He'd be called ungrateful if he turned it down but greedy if he accepted it. Perhaps he'll shell out and join anyway (if he needs the insurance, that is. I suspect he's well-equipped with Goretex coats.)

Has the CTC got up to date in its marketing?

Edwards wrote:

^^^ my ears & whiskers.

There's that film where Gregory Peck is given a million pound note, and once he has it, he finds he never need spend it to get what he wants. I suppose it embodies the essential truth that money makes money. The Cameron case isn't really any different to celebs being paid to endorse certain brands, except how many impressionable people are there who would want to emulate the PM? It could all backfire. Maybe the CTC should offer free membership to all midwives; I believe they use bicycles a lot, and are very popular.