Tim Bonner 🇺🇦

My comment piece in @thetimes ‘Labour is losing the countryside all over again’ thetimes.com/uk/environment…

The Wales coast path took 4 years to complete. We are 16 years into the English coast path and it is still not finished…

I will keep it saying although no one seems to be listening! The English coastal path is an example of exactly how not to do legislation and those responsible should be held to account. My quotes in great @horton_official piece on the still incomplete path theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…

Me on the Government’s latest attack on the countryside: “a government which is supposedly committed to growth is attacking one of the few growth industries in the rural economy which generates billions in income and employs tens of thousands of people” thetimes.com/uk/environment…

The people of Poole have talked of little else

“Like an inebriated race goer at Cheltenham last week, the Labour government seems desperate to pick a fight”. My piece on the government’s full frontal attack on game shooting countryside-alliance.org/features/tim-b…

@bwebster135 And compare Wales where sensible policy meant their coastal path was completed 14 years ago. I feel like a voice in the wilderness but this was an appalling piece of legislation and no one takes any responsibility. Wrote this 10 years ago countryside-alliance.org/resources/news…

Great PR by Natural England but coast path not open near Southampton. The Hythe ferry is part of the route but closed since Aug 2024. And Highcliffe to Calshot not open due to landowner objections. Sorry to spoil a good story with a few inconvenient facts bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Now the government is coming for game shooting

Frustrating ignorance from @DefraGovUK in its land use strategy. Game shooting is not a primary land use like golf courses. Shooting happens on agricultural land, not instead farming. This sort of basic error does not inspire confidence gov.uk/government/pub…

Talking to @PaddyGalbraith about the Judicial Review of the process that led to the family farm tax. Well done to all involved for getting to court.

"Be in no doubt that if you ban angling, you will get a fight." We are pleased that at long last a new angling licence has been signed for the Wingerworth Lido. We are proud to have played our part in standing up for local anglers🎣⬇️ ca-campaign.org/4bu8adA

"Be in no doubt that if you ban angling, you will get a fight." We are pleased that at long last a new angling licence has been signed for the Wingerworth Lido. We are proud to have played our part in standing up for local anglers ⬇️ ca-campaign.org/4bfAOjV

Welsh Ministers were advised against a ban on greyhound racing by civil servants and told that the argument was based on “anecdotal case studies”. Yet they still press ahead just because they needed one Lib Dem MS’s vote. Truly the worst of politics bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@drmottershaw @CAupdates More here

@CA_TimB @CAupdates What have they done and when can we expect to see any reduction in prices?

Looks like the government is going to address the anomaly of hugely inflated heating oil and LPG prices which affect 1.5m people, mainly in rural areas. This is good news and not special pleading, but a recognition that these people are not protected by the energy price cap.

Pleased to be able to support the Labour Rural Research Group’s report on rural poverty. Great gathering of over 20 MPs at today’s launch

The government has announced £53m in support for heating oil users. That recognition is welcome, but rural families still need answers about how the support will work and what long-term protections are planned for off-grid homes. Read more ➡️ countryside-alliance.org/news-content-t…

@CAupdates See more here countryside-alliance.org/news-content-t…

Also very timely in relation to the launch of the Labour Rural Research Group of MPs’ new report on rural poverty supported by @CAupdates which will be launched in parliament later today.

Rural Britain faces a growing “rural penalty.” ⚠️ A new Labour Rural Research Group report supported by the Countryside Alliance warns that poverty, rising costs and urban-focused policy are leaving countryside communities behind. Action is needed now: countryside-alliance.org/news-content-t…

"Not running may have been the bravest decision of a long and brilliant career." In his latest column, @CA_TimB reflects on the decision not to run #ConstitutionHill in the Champion Hurdle at this week's #CheltenhamFestival. 🏇 Read the full column ➡️ countryside-alliance.org/features/tim-b…