Win the rural vote and win the Election says CLA
07/04/05

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has welcomed the announcement of a May 5 General election, which brings to an end months of speculation.

Anticipating the intense political campaigning in the weeks ahead, the CLA has already launched its own manifesto for the countryside, calling on all candidates to support policies it wants the next Government to tackle. It also emphasises the increasing importance of the rural electorate in the outcome of the election.

Douglas Chalmers, Director CLA North says :

"Countryside issues are growing in political importance, and the electorate must seize this opportunity to influence the candidates. Our elected representatives may be responsible for developing policy, but we, our families and our communities are the ones affected.

"We have to reconcile the practical interests of rural land managers and businesses, and the needs of rural communities who wish a sustainable future, with the demands on politicians who have also to recognise a larger urban electorate. This is our chance to make sure that it is the candidate who best understands how to achieve this, who wins the rural vote.

"If a candidate in a rural area doesn't fully understand today's countryside, or the problems and opportunities of the people who live and work there, can they really claim to understand the politics of their constituency or to be able to best serve those they represent? Election time is when our politicians have to come to us, and it presents our best opportunity to challenge candidates as to whether they can truly represent us or whether our vote should go elsewhere."

The main points of the CLA Manifesto include:

1. A positive infrastructure for rural business The CLA's manifesto highlights the need for inward investment in and flexible planning policies for rural areas to promote jobs, housing, transport and services.

2. A rural policy for the British countryside Rural policies and the agencies which deliver them must acknowledge that environmental and social sustainability both depend on economic sustainability - a point that is all too frequently not appreciated by politicians.

3. A balanced approach to open access We need a sensible approach that allows access to be considered on a case-by-case basis, enabling a balance to be struck between public need, the effect on land management and the environment.

4. Tax change to boost diversification The CLA is pressing candidates to support a tax system which recognises that many rural businesses conduct a mixture of activities (that are currently separated only by different tax bands) that would benefit enormously from a more coherent approach.

5. A reduction in climate change by producing renewable energy A greater emphasis should be given other renewable sources, apart from wind power, including biofuels and biomass.

6. Recognition of the benefits of the sport of shooting Wider recognition is needed of the contribution which shooting makes to the environment and the economy. This includes placing no further restrictions on game shooting and reviewing existing unjustifiable restrictions.