EFRA eyes “engagement” with rural communities

The Rt. Hon. Alistair Carmichael MP spoke of the need for building consensus with rural communities during the Liberal Democrats’ party conference in Brighton last week.

Mr Carmichael, the newly appointed chair of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee, told guests at BASC’s rural reception that the Liberals are “back as a political force in Britain’s rural communities and there is no time to waste to unpick some of the damage done previously”. 

The MP for Orkney and Shetland continued: “As a party, we build our success on rural Britain, and we know one size does not fit all. Parliament needs to be responsive to rural communities.” 

“BASC has been loyal to the Liberals through the lean years, and I am pleased to see the association continuing to support us now. Personally I know that the Select Committee needs to have the best possible engagement with organisations such as BASC in the year ahead.” 

Former Conservative MP Neil Parish, who previously chaired the select committee, says EFRA will be able to hold the government to account in the House of Commons. 

The 2024 general election saw the Lib Dems win 72 seats, their highest total ever. This returned them to being the third largest party in the House of Commons for the first time since 2015.