Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, is set to speak at the Countryside Alliance fringe event on rural policy at the Conservative Party conference later this year.

The event, on the Monday morning of the party’s annual conference, will be an opportunity for delegates and guests to ask Gove what his party is doing to speak for rural Britain.

Countryside Alliance chief executive, Tim Bonner, will also be on the panel. This year’s conference is taking place in Birmingham from September 30 until October 3.

Rural voters

A recent report from the Fabian Society, supported by the Countryside Alliance, showed that all main political parties need to do more to win the trust of rural communities.

The conference event will be a chance to discuss if, and how, the Conservatives are addressing the challenges of rural Britain.

Political relations manager, James Somerville-Meikle, said: “We are delighted that the Secretary of State will once again be attending our conference event.

“Mr. Gove has had a very busy first year at Defra with the task of preparing farmers for Brexit alongside many other challenges.

“It is vital that wider rural interests do not get overlooked during this time and our event will be an opportunity for people to question the Secretary of State on the priorities of his department and record of delivery for the countryside.

“We look forward to what should be one of the highlights of the conference.”

The Countryside Alliance will be hosting a similar event at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Monday, September 24.