Political Print
Reynolds and Eagle land in Defra
A Cabinet reshuffle has resulted in changes to the ministerial team at a crucial time for food, nature and environment regulations. By David Burrows. Emma Reynolds is the new secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs following Prime…
POLITICAL PRINT: Making the most of a Brexit breakthrough
A willingness to confront difficult policy issues head-on is one way Labour can distinguish itself from an ascendant Reform, says Nick Hughes. As MPs returned to Westminster on Monday following a red-hot summer there was no doubting who had set…
POLITICAL PRINT: Food strategy needs a dominant driver
The vision is compelling, but the government’s ability to deliver a better food system will live or die by the level of buy-in from Whitehall’s centre. By Nick Hughes. Bradford’s Darley Street Market may one day be remembered as the…
POLITICAL PRINT: Reeves’s war on red tape risks coming unstuck
The chancellor’s determination to remove the burden of regulation is not what responsible businesses or the public say they want, says Nick Hughes. “Today we are taking further action to free businesses from the shackles of regulation. By cutting red…
POLITICAL PRINT: Producers pay the price for broken system
Defra’s decision to suddenly shut its sustainable farming scheme exposes a number of hard truths about fixing our broken food system. By David Burrows. On Tuesday last week the sustainable farming incentive (SFI) snapped shut. The budget for the 2024…
Political Print: Labour needs allies to deliver meaningful reform
Repairing relationships with farmers and businesses, whilst putting the UK on a path to food security and nature recovery, will require the kind of political fleet of foot that has thus far eluded the new government, says Nick Hughes. Farmers…
Political Print: Labour needs a food vision fit for the future
The new government has shown an early willingness to intervene in the market but lacks a cross-cutting strategy to deal with food system challenges. By Nick Hughes. In sprinting parlance, the first hundred days of a new government are an…
Political Print: Will food issues reach the election summit?
Rishi Sunak’s decision to call an early vote has scuppered a number of planned policies despite signs that food is rising up the political agenda. By Nick Hughes. Tick tock, tick tock… and so continues the countdown to a UK…
Political Print: More jokers than aces as Sunak shuffles pack
Can new Defra secretary Steve Barclay move the department beyond scandal and stagnation? Don’t bank on it, says David Burrows A cabinet reshuffle often has me scrolling through Wikipedia to refresh my memory of ministers past and present. And so…
Political Print: Sunak drives green wedge between Tories and Labour
The breaking of the political consensus on net-zero has put clear water between the two main parties, but progressive food policy proposals remain patchy. Nick Hughes reports. As another party conference season recedes in the rear view mirror voters have…