A fresh look at political engagement
Recent and upcoming meetings
Since the election last year, we have continued to engage with MPs across the Midlands region and recently secured several roundtable meetings, allowing members to bring the challenges and opportunities affecting rural communities to the forefront of discussions.
In February, the team headed to Shrewsbury to meet with Labour MP, Julia Buckley. Kindly hosted by a CLA member within the constituency, the meeting was mainly focussed around the Autumn Budget announcements on Inheritance Tax (IHT) changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). Ms Buckley was very receptive to the views of those who attended and answered questions on the different subjects.
Our most recent meeting took place in March with Conservative MP for Bromsgrove and the Villages, Bradley Thomas. Discussion varied with members speaking about education of the public with regards to the food system, to tackling rural crime and how a lot of the issues facing the rural sector are linked.
The meeting was followed by a lunch with the Bromsgrove Conservative Association with the guest speaker being The Rt. Hon. Sir Gavin Williamson, MP for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.
We will continue to bring CLA members and MPs together to discuss the many factors affecting farmers, landowners and rural businesses. These meetings are proving to be a valuable asset in allowing MPs to really see what is going on in their constituencies, and while many members may have the same or similar problems, there are also differing challenges across constituencies.
We have further meetings in the diary with various MPs. If you would be interested in hosting or attending your local MP meeting, please contact Natalie Oakes on Natalie.oakes@cla.org.uk or call 01785 337010.
