The rural South West is shaping up to become a key battleground in the forthcoming General Election – and the CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, is offering voters the chance to hear exactly what the main parties will do for the region’s rural economy if they win in May.

“Questions from the Countryside” is an event being organised by the CLA on Friday May 1 when leading parliamentary candidates will set out their case and answer questions on issues affecting farming and the rural economy.

It’s a chance, says CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, for people to find out where the different parties stand on key questions relating to such things as animal and plant disease, broadband, transport and communications, flood management, planning and housing, renewable energy production and food and farming.

“This is an opportunity for everybody with an interest in rural issues to question the people putting themselves forward for election.”

“So far, we have had acceptances from Neil Parish the sitting conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton, from Steve Race, who is fighting the East Devon constituency for Labour, Stuart Agnew MEP, UKIP’s spokesman on Agriculture and Andy Williamson the Green Party candidate for central Devon– so it promises to be a lively and robust exchange,” said Mr Mortimer.

“Questions from the Countryside,” will be held at the Exeter Court Hotel on the A 38 at Kennford and will run from 6.30pm-8pm. The event, which offers refreshments from 6pm, is free of charge and open to anyone with an interest in rural issues and the CLA hopes it will bring together a wide range of rural interests to question the candidates on their Party’s plans and priorities are on the key rural issues facing the rural South West.

“There are some big issues awaiting decisions from the next government and there are question marks hanging over how seriously the different parties see rural businesses and their contribution to the economy. We want to hear how they plan to face up to the challenge of delivering a genuinely living and working countryside,” said Mr Mortimer.