As a rural MP, advocating for rural interests is a key part of my role, and I’ve made it a priority in Parliament.
Speaking up for farming in Parliament
Since becoming a parliamentary candidate, I have met with many local farmers and consistently engaged with key stakeholders, including the NFU and the FUW at both meetings and local shows. I have used insights from these discussions to inform my work as an MP, dedicating over a quarter of my speaking opportunities in the House of Commons chamber to farming issues. I have attended every Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Question in the Chamber and Urgent Question on agriculture.
Ahead of the autumn budget, I wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, on behalf of concerned farmers in my constituency stating that I did not support changes to APR and urging her to protect and invest in the farming community. I mentioned this at a pre-election hustings at the Welshpool Livestock Market. On 18 November 2024, I also wrote to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, regarding agricultural land and have shared this correspondence with constituents.
I have been a steadfast advocate for farmers in Parliament, consistently raising your concerns in the House of Commons. In early October, I spoke out in the opposition day debate on farming and food security, where I strongly criticised Conservative trade deals with Australia and New Zealand that are undermining UK farmers.
On 5 November 2024, I again highlighted the vital importance of farming in the Autumn Budget debate, urging for greater support to safeguard this cornerstone of our economy and food security.
Following the Budget, I spoke with both the NFU and the FUW to gather their views on its implications for the agricultural sector. I have received many letters from individual constituents expressing their concerns, which I am grateful for.
On 29 October 2024, I attended the NFU Fellowship breakfast, the first event of the NFU’s Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme. This is a long-term initiative running until late 2025, and it is worth highlighting that I am one of only two Welsh MPs to be involved.
I am a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Farming.
Meeting with farmers in Westminster on 19 November
When the date of the farming protest was announced, I liaised with NFU Cymru and the FUW to organise meetings. On Tuesday 19 November, I met several dozen constituents across three different rooms in Westminster. I listened to the President of the NFU speak, and spoke with representatives from NFU Cymru including its President, Dairy Board Chair, and Clwyd and Montgomeryshire County Advisor.
Constituents then walked with me to near Horse Guards Parade to show me the produce they had brought in to donate to London food banks. I was very grateful for this as food security and food poverty are key areas of interest to me.
Public commentary on Agricultural Property Relief
In the meeting, I publicly called on the Treasury to publish its modelling on the impact of the policy on family farms, so that farmers can know where they stand and prepare accordingly.
I also noted that there will be opportunity for continued debate in Parliament, which backbench MPs like myself will feed into.
My comments on the matter were published in The Telegraph (First Labour MPs raise concerns over the impact of farmer IHT raid, 19 November 2024) and in The Times, The Guardian, Daily Mail, GB News, the i, The Independent, and discussed on Newsnight.
I thank you again for sharing your concerns with me. Constituent correspondence is invaluable to my work representing a rural constituency and I appreciate you getting in touch.