Thanks, I'll definitely have a look. If this is true then the theory I presented here probably doesn't hold weight but perhaps it should not be totally disregarded.
According to Blockstreams' website they are contributing to its development:
We are now developing Bitcoin Lightning prototypes and creating consensus on interoperability.
Beyond this statement, I didn't find much else in terms of details unless I signed up for their mailing list.
Thanks for your defense of Blockstream as I do not want to make them out to be nefarious actors and there's certainly a lot more I need to learn about the Lightening network.
Thanks v4vapid - I appreciate your open mind / impartiality. Yep - Blockstream is certainly influential on lightning. I personally don't think they exercise "control" or have motives to centralise BTC - but skepticism is healthy and it is worth creating awareness on who influences the development roadmap.
Blockstream is not working on the lightning network anymore.........It sidechains for them now.