CLA discuss politicians record on rural economy

The CLA President’s Debate at the CLA Game Fair, looked at the question: "A Coalition for the Countryside – Can Politics Deliver for the Rural Economy?" with lively exchanges from across the political divide.

Chaired by Daily Telegraph countryside columnist Charlie Brooks, Environment Minister Richard Benyon, House of Lords crossbencher Ewen Cameron and Labour MP for Derby Chris Williamson and, of course, CLA President William Worsley, debated whether Britain’s new political landscape would bear fruit for the rural economy.

Richard Benyon tried to assure the audience that the new Government really can make a difference to rural lives and businesses, joking that at least the ministerial team now eats meat!

He said: "This Government has a real hunger to get things done for rural Britain. We have respect for the rural community and are serious about improving the quality of life for people in rural communities."

William Worsley spoke of the three most important issues affecting CLA members which need to be resolved to ensure a vibrant and prosperous rural economy.

He said: "We need to make sure Government is committed to reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; the planning system has got bunged up and is no longer fit for purpose, and it is the responsibility of Government to deliver broadband for rural communities."

Mr Benyon pledged that the Coalition Government would roll out broadband to the rural community. He said: "We are determined to do it. It is about social exclusion."

Lord Cameron of Dillington said: "There needs to be encouragement for growth in the wider rural economy. Rural people are much more entrepreneurial than their urban counterparts. Twenty-two percent of those below it are self-employed compared to eight percent in towns and cities. Rural people do not rely as much on benefits but get out there and do it for themselves."

Lord Cameron won a round of applause for asking how it was legal to slaughter 40,000 cows infected with TB but illegal to touch a hair on a badger’s head, as he argued for the deregulation of badger culling to prevent the spread of bovine TB.

Labour MP Chris Williamson argued that Labour’s 13 years in power delivered for the countryside and it was the last Conservative Government which disproportionately hurt rural areas.

He said: "Politics has to deliver for the rural economy and Labour did deliver for the rural economy, and in my view the Conservatives failed the countryside when they were last in power."

The performance of the Rural Payments Agency under Labour, however, came in for strong criticism from CLA President William Worsley.

Mr Worsley said: "The RPA has been an utter shambles. The CLA has been banging on for years about how appalling it is. The most important thing is that the Government puts in a competent chief executive and executive team."