MP engagement

I recently spent several hours with Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, the new MP for Suffolk Coastal, as we visited a farming CLA member in her constituency.

As an organisation that represents the interests of farmers, landowners and rural businesses, there is no better way for us to get politicians to understand the complexities of the rural economy than to get them out and about and see it for themselves.

Be that in a field of wheat or onions, an agricultural building that has been converted into a diversified enterprise or a wildflower meadow where a landowner is helping nature to flourish.

Following the election there has been an influx of new MPs taking up posts across the country and it is incredibly important for politicians to quickly get up to speed with the key issues facing rural communities.

At the CLA we engage with all MPs, whatever their political allegiance, and while we are unlikely to always agree, we must keep communication channels open and have constructive and robust conversations to ensure the rural voice is heard.

Jenny has of course replaced Thérèse Coffey who, as most readers will be aware, spent time as Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) under the previous Conservative government.

Discussions with Jenny focused on farming and food security, rural housing, energy performance certificates, water management, crime and energy. During a tour of the host estate, we saw the farming operation in action and heard about the residential housing portfolio it oversees. There was even time to spot some fly-tipping – an all-too-common occurrence that blights the countryside for many!

We can always provide examples of how our members are growing food, creating rural jobs, supporting and enhancing biodiversity, providing housing, access to the countryside and a wide-range of other benefits to society.

There will be undoubtedly be challenges ahead. The Prime Minister has hinted that the country can expect a ‘painful budget’ next month. We wait to see what that will actually entail but in difficult times it is more important than ever for the CLA to be speaking up for those who live and work in the countryside.

This will be my last column for the CLA as I will be handing back the role of regional director to Cath Crowther who will return from next month following her maternity leave. It has been a pleasure to meet so many forward-thinking rural business people in the region and I wish you all well with your future business endeavours.