Environment Secretary to address CA Conservative Conference Event

Environment Secretary, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, will be speaking at the Countryside Alliance's fringe event on rural policy at the Conservative Party conference later this year.

The event, on the Monday morning of conference[1], will be an opportunity for delegates and guests to ask Mr Gove if the Conservatives speak for rural Britain. Countryside Alliance Chief Executive, Tim Bonner, will also be on panel and the event will be chaired by Abi Kay from Farmers Guardian. This year's conference is taking place in Birmingham from 30 September – 3 October.

A recent report from the Fabian Society, supported by the Countryside Alliance, highlighted some of the key challenges for people in rural areas and showed that all main political parties need to do more to win the trust of rural communities. The conference event will be a chance to discuss if and how the Conservatives are addressing the challenges of rural Britain.

Political Relations Manager, James Somerville-Meikle, commented: "We are delighted that the Secretary of State will once again be attending our conference event. Mr Gove has had a very busy first year at Defra with the task of preparing farmers for Brexit alongside many other challenges. It is vital that wider rural interests do not get overlooked during this time and our event will be an opportunity for people to question the Secretary of State on the priorities of his Department and record of delivery for the countryside. We look forward to what should be one of the highlights of conference."

The Countryside Alliance will be hosting a similar event at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Monday 24 September.

For more information about the Countryside Alliance's party conference events please contact [email protected] or 0207 840 9260.

[1] Monday 1 October from 8:15-9:30am in the Hyatt Regency Hotel Birmingham, Fortissimo Suite (inside the secure zone)