A positive voice at party conferences

Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson is credited with the phrase “a week is a long time in politics”. The annual party conferences are a certainty in the political diary and BASC has been attending and organising events at these gatherings throughout its history. Over the past decade, BASC and the Angling Trust have worked in partnership, hosting rural receptions at the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative Party conferences. 

At these events BASC highlights the work its members carry out daily throughout the year because of their interest in target and live quarry shooting. Members run businesses that support the local and wider economy. Shoot organisers get people outdoors, making new friends. Conservation volunteers protect and improve the biodiversity of our waterways, marshes, fields, woods and uplands. 

Shooting is a recreational activity that should continue to be accessible to everyone regardless of their income, ability or background. We are working people with an interest in a wide variety of shooting sports. We come from all walks of life, and we live in hamlets, villages, towns and cities. We shoot and we vote. 

Misinformation 

These are some of the key messages BASC gets across to MPs and their support staff. We are also able to field questions on policy developments and to correct misinformation about shooting. BASC also aims to gain ministerial in support of shooting at each event. 

At last year’s Conservative conference Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: “Shooting is really important to the success of the countryside, and I can assure you that the Conservatives are on your side.” 

The then Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed gave a clear endorsement of “sustainable shooting conducted according to the law” at our 2023 Labour rural reception. Mr Reed is now Environment Secretary, and we are working to secure continued public support from the Government at this year’s event. 

Political parties are a mix of many different interest groups, and each conference is a hive of policy development. Conferences following a general election are especially important. The party manifestos may have faded from the front pages of the press, but those commitments are fresh in the minds of party members and lobby groups attending the conferences. 

BASC is not the only organisation hosting fringe events. There are hundreds of societies and events competing for attention and endorsements. A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to secure attendees and commitments at our events. 

This year we have taken out a double-page spread of editorial in the Labour edition of The House – the magazine for MPs – which will be given away free at the Labour Conference. 

There has been a fair amount of doom-mongering about a Labour government and what that might mean for shooting. BASC worked positively with the previous Labour government for 13 years and we are doing so again. There is so much to be positive about. 

Nathan Hales won men’s Trap gold with a new Olympic record. Amber Rutter won over the media, becoming the first British woman to claim an Olympic shooting medal in the context of an injustice that could have meant a gold medal, followed by a heartwarming family reunion with her three-month-old son. 

We have the latest statistics to hand on the Value of Shooting that set out the facts and figures which underpin the importance of shooting in the UK. BASC has also published statistics on the “natural capital” benefits of shooting, which includes figures for carbon capture and public health savings. 

With all of this in mind, you can help. Please write to your Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat MP and ask them to consider attending the BASC and Angling Trust rural reception at their upcoming party conference.