We need someone to maintain the copy of ElementTree in the Python repository.
We have one: Fredrik Lundh.
Ideally this means pulling upgrades and bugfixes from Fredrik's repository every now and then. If the goals of Python ElementTree and Fredrik ElementTree diverge I don't see a problem with an amicable fork.
I see one: Fredrik will not consider such a fork amicable. Of course, if you could make him state in public that he is fine with a procedure that you propose, go ahead. He had stated in public that he is fine with the procedure I'm defending right now, that's why I'm defending it: no substantial changes without his explicit approval (breakage due to language changes is about the only exception - not even bug fixes are allowed). Regards, Martin