MPs from right across the political spectrum and the length and breadth of the Thames Valley have agreed to put their political differences to one side, even in an election year, and work together in a new cross-party Parliamentary group on the Thames which will be launched this week in Windsor. The idea for the group came from the River Thames Society following last year’s successful campaign to persuade the Environment Agency to drop its plans to sell off many of the lock-keeper’s homes along the river. The new group intends to meet in Parliament three times a year to “highlight and promote the economic, cultural, recreational and environmental value of the River Thames”.
The initial organisation is being done by Reading West MP Martin Salter who has lived in the Thames Valley all his life and who is a keen angler and boater on the river. Mr Salter worked closely with Maidenhead MP Theresa May and other Thames Valley colleagues in opposing the lock-keeper proposals last summer. An inaugural meeting and launch of the group will take place on Friday 18th September aboard the Nuneham Steam Launch which will be cruising upstream from Runnymede Boat House near Egham to Windsor Promenade. The group will receive presentations on the work of the River Thames Society, the Environment Agency and Thames Water.
Mr Salter said:-
“With the River Thames flowing through no less than four regions of England our new group will create an opportunity for Thames Valley MPs to come together and work collectively for the benefit of this fantastic and iconic feature which is such a central part of all our constituencies. The new group will give the Thames and those organisations who look after it and treasure it, access to the House of Commons and its facilities in order to pursue our agreed objectives which are to “highlight and promote the economic, cultural, recreational and environmental value of the River Thames”.
He added:-
“I have had an enthusiastic response to my letter inviting MPs to participate in the group which will now include Member’s of Parliament from Oxfordshire to Essex. With the current exchange rate making holidays in Britain a more attractive proposition I hope that by highlighting some of the treasures of the Thames Valley our new group can play its part in boosting local tourism and visitor numbers as well as encouraging local people to value the nation’s favourite river”.
Maidenhead MP and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Theresa May added:-
“The lock-keeper’s campaign showed us the value of Thames Valley MPs working together and this new grouping will enable us to work more effectively with our colleagues from further afield and in other regions for the benefit of the River Thames and all who value the huge contribution it makes to our communities”.
Peter Finch, Chairman of the River Thames Society said:-
“We are very happy that our suggestion for an All-Party Parliamentary Thames Group has been welcomed by MPs, and it is fitting that its inaugural meeting should take place afloat on the river next Friday. The Group is unique as there is no other Parliamentary forum dedicated to just one river and it will provide a useful forum for MPs to discuss matters of concern with organisations and public bodies, on a range of topics affecting the Thames, from the Source to the Sea”.
