BALI responds to the UK General Election
Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a General Election on 4 of July marks the start of a long campaign trail for all running parties that will lead to a pivotal moment for our country. Set to be one of the most important elections in recent times, the power to shape the future rests firmly in the hands of the voting public.
The Association is committed to following the campaign trail closely and will monitor the activity of all major parties running, including current opposition party and shadow cabinet. Our priority is to make sure that the issues we have worked on together with our members and the wider industry in the areas of environment, education, business support, innovation, sustainability, and carbon remain at the forefront of the Government Agenda regardless of which party wins the election.
Beside the campaigning and voting, the main implication of a general election is that the Government will enter purdah. This is the pre-election period during which Ministers, Civil Servants and Local Authorities refrain from making significant policy announcements or decisions. This is intended to prevent any undue influence on voters and the outcome of the election. Parliament was suspended on Friday 24 May, where it will be formally shut down on 30 May. Unfortunately, purdah also means that the many bills in progress may not make it through to legislation and are at risk of slipping through the net. This will have significant impacts in various sectors in the country, including ours.
The Association is committed to following the campaign trail closely and will monitor the activity of all major parties running, including current opposition party and shadow cabinet. Our priority is to make sure that the issues we have worked on together with our members and the wider industry in the areas of environment, education, business support, innovation, sustainability, and carbon remain at the forefront of the Government Agenda regardless of which party wins the election.
What our landscape contractors, garden designers and suppliers need to see from Government are policies that are practical and recognise the industry as its own entity. The Association will continue to advocate for Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) reform, meaningful improvement of labour shortages and skills gaps, getting landscaping into the educational system at all ages, tool theft, access to rebated fuel and fair representation of our sector in the Government’s water agenda among the many other industry areas we engage with our members on, which we will be setting out in our Association policy manifesto to be published soon. Through the Environmental Horticulture Group, chaired by our own Chief Executive Wayne Grills, The Association will continue to focus on the national planning policy framework and all things that fall out of the planning process.
The Association will provide you with comprehensive coverage of the landscaping and horticulture related aspects of the election campaign. We strongly encourage our members to exercise their right to vote. Your voice is vital in shaping the policies and future of our country and our industry.