Charles visits Somerset Levels

Whiitewave.

lord Smith has not as I understand it been to Somerset during the latest floods. I brought him into the frame to try and stop the political bias being shown and level the playing field.

Unless the government is run by King Canute then we are where we are.

At no time have I criticised nor have I knocked the 'workers' of the Environment Agency. I don't know why you thought I had. I agree they have worked very hard, will be working very hard and sadly it looks like there will be no let up for them for quite some time.

I donated to recent disasters as I am sure many GNEtters did, and was pleased to help in a small way. The Government donated £50 million, good that they donated, but bad that this country is in dire need in some areas.

It is lashing down here again and the wind is howling, must be the same across the Bristol Channel I think

I agree Margaretm74. I think with the best will in the world this is how a lot of people perceive our politicians. ready with almost unlimited aid for foreign disasters,(kudos?!!) while our own disasters are given a financial 'back seat', presumably in the hopes that it will just somehow resolve itself, go away, or that people affected will just 'put up with it', stiff upper lip and all that! whatever it is it does seem shocking that folk who have been so badly hit (everywhere) have had to virtually beg the powers that be to sit up, take notice and help them - outrageous!

I don't think POGS was critising the workers, it is more the decisions taken by the higher ups some of whom really have no clue, eg having let dredging machines stand idle and laid off the men who operated them, not investing in new methods.
People who say that the Levels and Moors were historically under water miss the point that they were drained, and must continue to be drained if we want to continue with the productive farmland there. Technology has surely improved since they were first drained, so there is no excuse - money is always found for disasters overseas whilst our countryside suffers. (Not just Somerset I hasten to add before anyone posts from elsewhere)

They, and the power workers who were slogging away over Christmas, who were constantly being criticised for not working fast enough (they had to deal with all the fallen trees first)

POGS re Chris Smith - yes he has - at least 3 times in 2013 - so will have as good an idea as any of those you have mentioned what needs to be done there. He, at least has supported the work being carried out by the EA who have given up time at Christmas weekends etc. etc. working like beavers to sort out where and when they can. It is all down to their goodwill as they are not required to work these hours. If people keep knocking them they are going to get very demoralized.

No doubt I am in a minority of one, but I like and admire Prince Charles, (and Camilla) and I am sure that the poor souls who are suffering so much in these floods on the levels were very pleased/relieved to see him, and judging from what you could see he did make them feel better. I think he genuinely cared about their predicament, and will try and do what he can to help - at least he wore wellington boots and came prepared to wade around and talk to people. We could do with more people like the Prince in high places.

Firstly his visit was scheduled to take place before this flood ever happened. He was visiting the area initially to discuss the previous flooding that had taken place before. So it is not merely 'good PR'. Only if you want it to be.

Secondly, his comment 'A jolly good disaster' in this case means, 'large', 'huge', 'immense'. It is obvious he did not mean 'good fun', 'good sport', 'happy days'. It is ridiculous to think he is 'happy' about the living conditions the poor b-----s are coping with. Only if you want it to.

As for party politics, whilst we are at it. What about the Labour Chairman of the Environment Agency (2008). Rt Hon. Lord Smith of Finsbury, Cambridge/Harvard. He hasn't even visited the area AT ALL!.

As has been said. Prince Charles was damned if he did, damned if he didn't.

I was born on 'The Moors' just outside of Glastonbury. It is amazing how so many 'experts' chuck their two penneth into the mix who don't know how the Levels/Moors work.

Prince Charles is probably more humble than some who I have heard and good on him for fulfilling his planned visit and not letting this flood put a stop to it. Any funds he has donated is welcome and will possibly lead to more people getting involved. Do you see that as a bad, egotistical thing he has done? Again, only if you want to.

EVERYONE has more understanding and empathy than the Environment Secretary!

Damned if he did and damned if he didn't!

I think he has more understanding and empathy than the Environment Secretary has, and he will now be putting pressure on them to do more (then he will be accused of "interfering" again - see first line!)

Isn't the Duke of Westminister one of, if not the richest man in Britain? They can both afford to donate and I'm glad that they have.

The locals are saying that his visit is keeping their problems in the spotlight so I suppose it did some good.

I heard on the tv that he has given 50k to help and the Duke of Westminster has given the same.

At least he's done something.

Some people are just out to pick holes!

Oh! He was simply saying that bad situations bring out the best in people. Praising the locals for helping each other.

Don't take it so literally!

If it's farming his concerns are genuine , perhaps if the miners had bred sheep he would have visited South Wales and parts of England during the strike

If he hadn't visited them everyone would have said he had no empathy.

Suppose so, merlot -bit of a knee jerk reaction from me. Will not go into the whole "what I think of them all" issue!

I am serious - sometimes I should think before posting; I do mostly, except in some cases....

Good PR - doesn't serve much purpose.

I don't think jolly good disaster was a wise choice of words either.

At least he went, Ariadne. Some people will have found it a boost to morale and there would have been rumblings of discontent if nobody from the Royal family had showed any interest at all.

#somepeoplecan'twin

*A jolly good disaster" – what?

I am sure that everyone there feels much better now that he has visited them. Not!

Yes. Definitely.

Yep! I would believe his empathy far more than all the hot air spouted by Owen Paterson.