Election Wish List

Every candidate in every party will be made aware of equestrian and rural communities’ election priorities.

- Lucy Elder

RURAL and equestrian groups are drawing up the key priorities they want the new government to address following the 8 June general election.

The repeal of the Hunting Act, improving equine welfare and fairer business rates are among the headline issues.

On 18 April, prime minister Theresa May called a snap election, which was approved by MPs the following day with 522 voting for and 13 against.

Jeanette Allen, Equine Sector Council (ECS) steering group chairman and chief executive of the Horse Trust, told H&H that the group is refreshing its midterm manifesto.

The manifesto highlights to government what the horse industry in the UK contributes to the economy and outlines the support it needs.

Its main areas of focus are: improving horse health and welfare post-Brexit, improving equestrian trade and government partnership, and increasing participation.

This was most recently revised at the start of the year as the current government reached the half-way point of its time in office (news, 2 March) since the previous general election.

Ms Allen said the manifesto will have minor tweaks, but will fundamentally contain the same content, which was decided upon through consultation.