CLA Launches Election Manifesto at Northern Summit

- organisation agrees to rise rural issues to highest level ever -
10/02/05

CLA Chairmen and high-ranking office bearers from across the north met yesterday (9 February) at the CLA's North Regional Office, agreeing that it was vital all candidates in forthcoming local and general elections are fully briefed on issues of concern in rural communities.

The Regional Committee Meeting included representatives from Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland, and was used to launch the CLA Manifesto; a document aimed at all candidates in all parties. The Manifesto outlines the main issues that, says the CLA,voters should put to anyone canvassing their vote.

The Regional Committee, which represents the whole spectrum of the rural economy across the North, aims to distribute the manifesto to every candidate throughout the area, a clear sign of the CLA's determination to rise rural issues to a political level hitherto unseen.

CLA Director North Douglas Chalmers said:"Local elections are as important as general elections to rural communities.We must take this opportunity to influence those responsible for developing the policy that affects us and our communities, and tell them what we really want from our elected representatives.

"If a candidate in a rural area doesn't fully understand today's countryside,or the people who live and work there, can they really claim to understand the real issues in their constituency? Election time is the best time to challenge candidates as to whether they can truly represent you or whether your vote should go elsewhere."

The key points of the Manifesto are:

· A positive infrastructure for rural business

· A rural policy for the British Countryside

· A balanced approach to open access

· Tax change to boost diversification

· A reduction in climate change by producing renewable energy

· Recognition of the benefits of the sport of shooting