Political engagement at the summer shows in the East

A summary of key political meetings during the recent agricultural shows
Written by Lee Murphy. First published on 30 Jun 2025, and most recently revised on 15 Jul 2025.
DZ image - Norfolk Show
Cath Crowther and Daniel Zeichner at the Royal Norfolk Show

Engaging with politicians is extremely important in ensuring the voice of the CLA membership is heard on the key issues facing them.

During the summer agricultural shows the CLA East team has met with a broad range of politicians.

At the Royal Norfolk Show Regional Director Cath Crowther, along with members, met with a trio of Norfolk Labour MPs including Ben Goldsborough, Terry Jermy and Alice MacDonald.

Labour MP meeting at norfolk show
Three Labour MPs meet with the CLA and members at the Royal Norfolk Show

Cath also met with Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner in the CLA marquee and was joined at this meeting by CLA Deputy President Gavin Lane. Conservative MP for Broadland and Fakenham, Jerome Mayhew, also met with the CLA.

During the Lincolnshire Show, the leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch addressed members in our marquee. Four other Lincolnshire MPs were in attendance for the address. We also met Shadow Farming Minister Robbie Moore and Lincolnshire Deputy Mayor Ingrid Sheard.

At Groundswell in Hertfordshire, CLA President Victoria Vyvyan met with Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed.

Kemi at Lincs Show
Cath Crowther and Kemi Badenoch at the Lincolnshire Show

At the Suffolk Show, Labour MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter was the guest speaker at the CLA’s breakfast on the first day. Jenny is also a member of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge was another politician to meet with the CLA at the show.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter at Suffolk Show
Suffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter at the Suffolk Show

At the Essex Young Farmers Show, Cath Crowther met Neil Hudson, the Conservative MP for Epping Forest and Shadow Defra minister.

Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Victoria Atkins, met with the CLA at the majority of the regional shows and at Cereals.

Future funding for farming, food production and the environment, inheritance tax concerns, issues regarding water management, and the impact of national infrastructure projects on rural businesses were among the discussion points.

Other topics included renewable energy, rural housing and the challenges of the planning system, poor rural connectivity and crime.

Ahead of the shows the CLA invited all MPs in the relevant counties to meet with us. Of those who replied but were unable to attend, the CLA will be organising meetings over the coming months to ensure they are briefed on topical issues relating to farming and landownership.