Martin Tod urges the rural community to raise its voice ahead of devolution

The Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Martin Tod, is urging rural businesses to respond to a new parliamentary inquiry into the impact of devolution on rural areas.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Rural Business and the Rural Powerhouse is encouraging rural businesses, farmers and other stakeholders to submit evidence on topics including skills, economic growth, transport, nature recovery, farming, planning and housing. 

The English Devolution Bill will see the introduction of large-scale changes in local authority structures and boundaries as well as the introduction of new regional super mayors. 

“It is vital that the voice of rural businesses and people is heard as the government pushes through  its devolution programme. I want the voice of rural Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to be listened to,” said Martin Tod, the Lib Dem candidate for the new mayoral position. 

“I encourage all stakeholders to share their experiences for this inquiry and help us build a framework that brings genuine prosperity for our countryside, not just our cities,” said John Milne, Liberal Democrat MP for Horsham, and chair of the Rural Business APPG. 

The Country Land and Business Association is acting as secretariat to the inquiry and evidence should be submitted by email to ruralpowerhouse@cla.org.uk on topics.