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Front Page
The MAG Annual Group Conference 2002
Annual Reports by National Officers to the
AGC 2002
Why Me?
Possible New NC Post - Network Communications Officer
Daytime Headlights
Vehicle Excise Duty - Where MAG Stands and Why
Henry Marks Gets MAG into Parliament!
Free European Bike
Events for MAG Members
How Your NC Really Works
MAG and the Motorcycle Industry Association
Communicating With Clubs
Running a Local MAG Branch
MAG Events
Previous Issues
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MAG and the Motorcycle Industry Association
MAG Co-operation with the MCIA
MAG has always co-operated with the Motorcycle Industry association (MCIA) whenever it has been in the interests of motorcyclists and/or in the wider
interests of motorcycling as an activity. MAG actively participated in sales-boosting efforts during the lean years of the 1990s, acting as a free ticket agency for the NEC Show. MAG National Chairman Neil
Liversidge and MAG's Public Relations Officer of the time, Allen Burton, both co-operated extensively with the MCIA and its individual member firms. MAG has likewise always tried to promote the achievements of the
industry. Neil Liversidge when a member of the MCN Awards panel proposed John Bloor of Triumph for a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his single-handedly rebuilding the British bike industry. Neil has
likewise proposed John Bloor for the equivalent MAG award this year. MAG has had similarly cordial relationships with the other manufacturers. Many have been recruited by Henry Marks to MAG Corporate membership.
Most recently MAG has supported the industry's new 020 bike show. It is therefore absurd to say that MAG is 'negative' or 'uncooperative' towards the MCIA. MAG does not have a problem with any individual
manufacturer or combination of manufacturers.
MCIA Attempts to Manipulate MAG
What MAG does have a problem with are the 'young men on the make' at the MCIA, ex-MAG officers who are trying to
manipulate MAG to impress their boss Mark Foster and so further their own careers. A classic example of this manipulation occurred last year. In a MAG strategy meeting at MAG Central office Phil Neale was given
specific instructions to contact three MPs on a matter of great importance. Phil however kept stalling on the grounds that Craig Clinch, MCIA employee, would also have to be involved. Phil was told that it was none
of Clinch's business. Nobody could understand at the time why Phil was so keen not to upset Clinch and to involve him in MAG's business. Phil never made contact and the opportunity was missed. Just why became pretty
clear last November when Phil joined Clinch's team at the MCIA.
At the beginning of February Henry Marks and Neil Liversidge attended the FEMA Committee meeting in Antwerp. At that meeting they were surprised
to learn from the President of MAG Ireland that they were being slated around Europe by Clinch for their supposed 'negativity' towards the industry. (See the NC minutes in this issue for more detail.)
He Who Pays the Piper…
The President of Mag Ireland did ask that we try to minimise the mentioning of his organisation in this debate as it is hoping to obtain a large sum of money from the MCIA in connection
with Ride to Work Day. Clinch and Nich Brown (former MAG Vice Chairman and now also an MCIA employee) recently told the MAG NC how the MCIA would like to fund lobbying by MAG Reps. Money was also mentioned as being
available to help fund Team MAGSport. When Henry Marks insisted that there should be an above-board contract setting out the basis of the arrangement he was told by MCIA employee Karen Cooke that the MCIA did not
want a written contract with MAG, but rather a 'gentleman's agreement'. MAG has not therefore accepted any money on such a basis. Judging by the MAG Ireland situation it seems that the MCIA is using its money to try
and buy influence amongst the European riders' organisations. If not checked this will, in the long run, seriously damage the credibility of the European riders' organisations with the ordinary motorcyclists
they seek to represent.
We now have a situation where because MAG dares to disagree with the industry over VED and Daytime Headlights, MCIA employees feel entitled to undermine MAG's National Chairman and
Chief Executive. Simultaneously MCIA money is on offer to show what MAG might receive if it is compliant.
MAG Represents the Consumer
MAG's position is very simple and straightforward. It is a
position that every MAG member will understand. MAG in reality will probably find itself in agreement with the MCIA 95% or more of the time. When MAG does agree with the MCIA then it will campaign with the MCIA on a
common line. There will be times however that the interests of motorcyclists and those of the industry diverge. Grey imports were a classic example where the industry wanted one thing (no grey imports) and we wanted
the opposite - a free market resulting in lower prices. Likewise we disagree with the MCIA about VED and Daytime headlights. When we disagree, the MCIA must respect the fact that MAG is a consumers organisation
whilst it is a business organisation. MAG represents the people who buy bikes. The industry represents the people who make and sell them, and the moneylenders in the MCIA membership who finance our purchases.
NC Unanimous
Your National Committee is taking firm action to ensure that in future MAG's interests are not subverted by MCIA employees or, for that matter, anyone else. To this end:
1. The National Chairman has been instructed not to allow MCIA employees automatic
access to MAG NC meetings as visitors even if, like Craig Clinch, Nich Brown and Phil
Neale, they are MAG members.
2. Anyone who goes to work for the MCIA in future will be expected to resign immediately
from the NC and/or Board of MAG.
3. MCIA funding for the Reps Training Seminar (arranged by the Reps Liaison Officer without
NC approval) will be refused.
4. MAG will make a full disclosure of all monies received from all corporate sources and will
be asking all other FEMA members to do the same.
This was the unanimous decision of the
February meeting of the National Committee. It is hoped therefore that the message to the MCIA is loud and clear. MAG will co-operate with the MCIA when it is in the interests of motorcyclists that we do so. When it
isn't, we won't. MAG is NOT for sale, never has been and never will be.
** PLEASE REFER TO THE NC MINUTES FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE **
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