Confessions of a blog virgin…

I was met with an arresting sight as I was driven around the peace camp outside parliament in a taxi early one morning two weeks ago. It wasn’t the usual grungy peace campaigner being hauled off by police, but a skimpily clad female exiting her tent to perform aerobics.

I don’t agree with their methods of protest, but she started me thinking about the similarities between BIBA and the inhabitants of that camp.

For example, we share qualities such as dedication, conviction and a willingness to speak out.

Regrettably, not everyone hears your message the first time. Take, for instance, broker commission disclosure. Despite having explained Biba’s position on this many times, we still get asked where we stand with regards to mandatory disclosure.

“We're not quite at the point of sending Steve White to pitch camp outside the FSA until it accepts our point of view, but it's a possibility.

I don’t know why this is. Perhaps it’s down to inaccurate media reporting, wilful misunderstanding or just short memories. So for the record, I want to say that Biba has never been in favour of mandatory disclosure.

Perseverance is vital in any campaigner. Our stance on commission was adopted after consultation with our membership. It is a viewpoint we have held throughout our long discussions with the FSA and will continue to argue as the forensic review of the market proceeds.

We’re not quite at the point of sending Steve White to pitch camp outside the FSA until it accepts our point of view, but it’s a possibility.

On that note, I’ll finish my first blog by saying well done to the insurance industry for its response to the flooding. Now let’s keep that momentum going and not let ill-considered comments on rates undermine any goodwill that we’ve built with the public.