Conservative Rural Action AGM and Half Day Conference
crag’s ‘new look’ was announced by the Chairman Jim Paice MP at the Annual General Meeting at the Farmer’s Club at the beginning of May.
Jim described how the organisation is to be known as Conservative Rural Action and the creation of the new website and email bulletin. Those present heard reports from the regions and elected our officers once again. To download a copy of the minutes from the AGM please click here.
The AGM was followed by a very informative Half Day Conference on the topic of the Conservative’s Rural Affairs Agenda. It was a unique opportunity for guests and crag members to become involved in the policy making process.
Nick Herbert MP, Shadow Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, welcomed those assembled and spoke on the two broad Conservative approaches that run across everything they have to say:
- We believe in a return to individuals and communities. There is too much interference, we need to empower and trust people and be more concerned with outcomes.
- We need to be incentivising rather than beating people up. The present government is a regulator but if we are going to get better outcomes then we will only do so by incentivising.
Nick also pointed out that the Conservatives have a party leader who minds about rural areas. He mentioned that David Cameron turned to the Shadow Cabinet at the Spring Conference and said that the challenge was to deliver more from less.
It was then over to the audience and a chance for everyone to take part in the policy process. Jim Paice introduced three topics, Rural Community, Rural Voice and Rural Economy, and then opened up the discussion for questions and comments. This was the first time that the Conservative’s rural policy ideas had been formally presented for a response. It was a very valuable discussion, out of which came ideas that led to further consideration by the Shadow Team.
The conference was welcomed by many attendees who were grateful for the opportunity to discuss issues that are so important for the future of our rural communicates and farming industry.