Most MPs will tell you they represent the best area in the country.
But the Island really is a unique place. And as a coastal and rural constituency, it’s got the best of both worlds, which is why it’s an absolute privilege to represent Isle of Wight West.
It’s also why I’m a member of the Labour Rural Research Group (LRRG), because it’s essential the voices of rural communities like ours are heard when it comes to decision making in Westminster.
The group is made up of 41 of my Labour colleagues and it highlights lived experiences and uses the challenges faced by rural communities to help shape government decision making.
What makes the LRRG different is that we aim to engage in constructive dialogue with the government – to enhance policy rather than stall progress.
It would be easy to think that the LRRG is just another talking shop, with yet more meetings. But it’s not. (Anyone that knows me, knows I didn’t get into politics to sit around all day).
Instead, we’re there to make sure that government understands how policy changes impact our constituents.
In December, we helped convince the government to adjust the inheritance tax relief threshold (IHT) for farmers and businesses.
Issues relating to inheritance tax were repeatedly highlighted by farmers, the island’s National Farmers’ Union (NFU), as well as in meetings with the Isle of Wight NFU’s Robyn Munt.
But as we head into spring, I’m pleased to say that the LRRG have just launched our latest campaign to improve farmers’ profitability.
We’re calling for “Honest Labelling”, a new food labelling system which should make it far easier for shoppers to buy British and support British farming.
We’re proposing that food should be marked with a new origin label as well as a welfare label.
The origin label will tell you where your food comes from, and the proportion of British ingredients (if more than one).
The welfare label would feature an image of the product (i.e. chicken) and a colour-coded tier system from red to green.
Two distinct labels making it simpler to see where your food comes from and what conditions it was produced under.
It’s already proven successful in Australia and it should be a win-win for British producers and consumers alike.
Ninety three per cent of people have said they’d be willing to pay more for British products.
And it’s easy to understand why – fewer food miles, you know where it came from, and you know British farmers already follow some of the highest welfare standards in the world.
But as it stands, British farmers, including plenty on the Island, get a raw deal and they’re being undercut by cheaper imported goods and by the buying power of supermarkets.
That’s why we need to ensure that our farmers are treated fairly.
That’s why I’m part of the LRRG and it’s why I’m supporting the campaign to back British farmers.
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