Oliver Letwin's West Dorset constituency received visits from our campaigners on Wednesday - here they are in a damp Dorchester!
Mr Letwin is one of the Star Chamber members who will make decisions on the allocation of spending cuts across government departments and is regarded widely as a highly influential, if relatively low profile, Cabinet member.
Mr Letwin's West Dorset constituency is rich in plants and insects - if the sun is shining go and look at the adonis blue butterflies on Maiden Castle just outside Dorchester!
I wonder how many of Mr Letwin's farming constituents are in HLS - or want to be and may be excluded if planned cuts go ahead?
Please add your voice to our campaign - and remind Mr Letwin that the natural beauty of his constituency depends on the good work of a whole range of people, but much of it costs money. Some cuts never heal - please don't cut the countryside!
And I was really pleased to see that our Letter to the Future campaign (same idea, different genesis) has passed 285,000 signatures - that was quick!
This is our most prolific campaign in terms of signatures and it's still gathering momentum. We are now well past the membership of any of the Liberal Democrat, Labour or Conservative parties. Please do add your name if you haven't already.
The poster is still being displayed at the entrance to Westminster tube station - well past the time we paid for! Thank you to whoever is letting it stay there!
You can see that its companion poster is now about Ricky Gervais rather than getting your leg hairs sorted! Not sure whether that is progress or not!
In the context of cuts etc the BBC Today programme reminded me of the quote “It’s the hinge that squeaks that gets the grease” – so the RSPB’s ‘Letter of the Future’ may have some effect!
In the current ShootingTimes (again!) – this time - Alistair Mitchell says under the heading “In order to protect our wildlife, shooters and the RSPB need to work together”
He goes on to say:-
“ …. I would much rather deal with the RSPB than any animal rights organisation. ….. Those of us who shoot have a lot more in common with RSPB types than we have apart. Both sides value the countryside and its wildlife and are prepared to take active steps to aid conservation. By contrast when did you last hear of an animal rights group planting woodland? …. How many animal rights groups take large stands at the CLA Game Fair …. You can at least talk to senior RSPB people …”
These too are my thoughts and beliefs.
He also refers to other subjects but these are for another day.
I live in hope that the RSPB and those that live, work and play in the Countryside will at last come fully together and address the important issues.
Well said trimbush. I think the RSPB has made it very clear that it is happy to work with responsible shooting interests for the common good. (I don't shoot by the way.)
Think that RSPB shooting people and farmers in the main are becoming more tolerant of each other.It is so important for this to continue especially as there are people on the edges of each lot who would rather they be at war.