I am really not sure what’s happening on the UK trade association scene right now.  I have just returned from a meeting at which yet another association was proposed: that would make five in the UK as far as I know and that doesn’t allow for the expanding list of forums and online groups that seem to be springing up like March daffodils.

It wasn’t long ago that the UK had BAR and that was it.  Love it or loathe it you had Hobson’s choice but many good people dedicated much of their working lives, free, to working with BAR to improve the lot of its members and to represent the industry at large.  Many others seemed to dedicate their lives to criticising it, often without bothering to acquire the knowledge to understand its actions. 

Today we have associations coming out of our ears and there may well be a need for them.  There are plenty of movers who do not qualify, or do not wish, to belong to BAR. They have their reasons.  Yet still they want a badge of some kind whether or not it serves any useful purpose or its customers have a clue what it stands for. “Just give me something to belong to,” I have heard people say.  It’s a primal human instinct.

There’s another: they must help the member make money.  Yes it’s nice to be part of a family, but you also have to put bread on the table.  Every association has to question the value it provides to its members.  If there’s no value, there’s no future.

The association has to make some money too otherwise why would the organisers bother to go to work each day?  And how much will their members allow them to earn before they begin to think that their motives have changed?  I don’t know but I’d like to bet that the two are significantly out of step.      

BAR has been in operation for close to 115 years.  It has always been overseen, to some extent at least, by dedicated members who have worked their tails off for the benefit of the industry for free.  I don’t know if that is still true but I do know that any organisation that tries to occupy its space will need the backing of its members in equal measure.  I wish them success in filling whatever need exists, but let nobody think it will be easy.

I was talking to an old friend yesterday.  We were discussing my dilemma about whether or not I should publish some stories that I believe to be in the public interest at the risk of incurring the wrath of the subject individual or organisation.  We didn’t agree. 

Most stories in trade magazines are derived from press releases and interviews given willingly by people who have something to gain by publishing their stories or are, at least, happy for the item to appear.  Some, however, are not and by publishing them I run the risk of legal challenges that are distressing, distracting and possibly devastating if I get it wrong.  My friend said that I didn’t have a responsibility to publish those stories at the risk of my livelihood. He was trying to protect me, but I felt that it was my job as the editor of the only independent publication in the industry to advise people about potential threats to them.  Although I have no wish to risk everything I have for the sake of a story, how can my readers treat The Mover as a serious publication if I shy away from the difficult issues? If not me, then who?

I am pleased to report, however, that the government seems to have some sympathy with my problem and, from 1 January, 2014 has changed the law on defamation to make it harder for, in the words of the Justice Minister Shailesh Vara (see page 23) “wealthy people or companies to bully or silence those who may have fairly criticised them or their products".

This doesn’t mean that it is now open season on everyone that has crossed me; stories still have to be substantially true and free of malice.  But it does mean that I am more able to publish the stories I feel should be aired knowing that the law is on my side, not working against me. In consequence, you might notice a slightly more relaxed tone to our reporting as the year progresses.

On another subject, this issue has the first of our regular columns from Tony Richman.  Tony is recognised worldwide as the Oracle on everything Europe.  In my opinion he has been treated appallingly by the industry he has served so long and I am pleased and honoured that he has chosen these pages through which to share his thoughts.  

Your comments on his opinions and any stories in The Mover are welcome, as always.


Steve