The earnest chap in the light blue shirt ( top left of my picture, behind the plate of mouth-watering dainties) is no less a figure than Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Environment. He’s been pressing the flesh and sampling a lot of Exmoor’s excellent hospitality. He’s also met with farmers and employers on the moor and got a taste of their concerns for the future. Exmoor National Park has a plan for life after Brexit. It is full of ideas, some better than others. But a plan is certainly better than no plan at all. Michael Gove always takes time to listen to every point of view. I was delighted that he was able to talk to those who cherish Exmoor just as much as the National Park dp but are still concerned that the Park’s ambitions may be a little too narrow. Conservation is important. So are jobs. Jobs require affordable homes. But what if the Park resists sensible development? We gave the Secretary of State a lot to think about. And the lovely folk at Hinams Farm Tearoom, Dulverton produced an absolutely scrummy spread!
MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset
