Herbert: Labour not listening to rural voice
5 February 2009
Commenting on the Government’s response to the Rural Advocate report, ‘England’s rural areas: steps to release their economic potential’, Shadow Environment Secretary, Nick Herbert said:
"This Government has ignored the concerns of rural voters for the last decade. Under Labour deprivation in the countryside is becoming more pronounced and rural businesses are being held back by low levels of investment, creaking infrastructure and high taxation.
"Ministers have imposed a host of damaging policies on the countryside that have cut vital services, increased costs for ordinary people and burdened rural businesses with unnecessary regulations. If the rural economy is to fulfil its vast potential it needs a Government that pays real attention to the needs of rural communities and gives them a proper voice."