If you are hanging around at reception in the entrance to Nobel House, Smith Square waiting for someone to come and take you to your meeting within the Defra HQ you may glance around and see lots of rather naff posters depicting what Defra thinks is great. Here is a selection (apologies for the poor…
Category: THE POLITICS: Ministers, MPs, government policy
Long-serving Defra minister George Eustice resigns
George Eustice has resigned from the government and from his post as Minister of State in Defra. That post is more senior than Therese Coffey as a Parliamentary Under Secretary and less senior than Michael Gove as Secretary of State. Eustice has been a Defra minister since October 2013 – an exceptionally long time (first…
Countryside Alliance clash with Defra policy on grouse hand-outs
The Countryside Alliance is giving Chris Packham a little rest and is turning its nastiness towards Tony Juniper, Michael Gove’s proposed new Chair of the hapless Natural England (who will appear before the Efra committee on Tuesday). According to the Sunday Telegraph, campaigners representing ‘farming, countryside communities and businesses‘, (though only the Countryside Alliance is…
Independent or simply refugees?
At the time of writing, 11 MPs have joined the Independent Group: eight from Labour and three from the Conservatives. They haven’t yet formed a political party but they are a fascinating grouping who have little in common except starting off as Remainers. But have you noticed that there are seven women and just four…
Chris Davies MP
I keep a kindly eye on those MPs who spoke in the ‘debate’ over banning driven grouse shooting in October 2016. One, the MP for Brecon and Radnorshire described me thus; ‘Only the other week I had the privilege of attending the evidence session on grouse shooting. Several right hon. and hon. Members have already…
Brexit – an environmental recap
Today is the latest, and not the last, in a series of momentous parliamentary days in shaping how, or perhaps if, we are leaving the EU. A no-deal Brexit in 59 days’ time (at 11pm on my birthday – I resent that choice of date) will be a disaster for our environment. It will be…
Solving the Brexit log-jam
It’s simple really (written with a wry smile). Vote in Parliament this week on whether Parliament supports or rejects May’s deal. If vote is in favour – problem sorted. If not (as expected) go to point 2. Set up two referenda, one week apart, in first half of March. First referendum, ask population to vote…
A meaningful vote?
This evening Theresa May will win the no-confidence vote against her and the hard Brexiteers will have been put firmly in their place. I’d bet on it.In fact, I have bet on it. After coming back from a walk at Stanwick Lakes this morning (an unsuccessful search for a male Hen Harrier that has been…
Excellent consultation
This consultation is a cut above the average – it’s on an important subject, with great implications, and it looks as if government is taking it very seriously. Or have I been fooled? I would welcome guest blogs on this subject from those with more knowledge than myself (a large number of folk!). The idea:…
Is the EU good for wildlife? Hell, yes!
Has the EU been good for wildlife or not? My view, based on 25 years of working for the RSPB and so being closer than most people to the evidence and practice behind this question is a definitive ‘Yes, hell yes!’. My view is based on evidence (that’s coming soon in this post) but I…