Liberal Democrats welcome DEFRA consultation on direct elections to National Park and Broads Authorities

11.10.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Oct 2008

Roger Williams MP, Liberal Democrat Food and Rural Affairs Spokesperson, has welcomed the announcement by the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) that a consultation will be launched to on the introduction of direct elections for a proportion of National Park and Broad Authorities members

"It is a system that has worked well in Scotland and one on which I have campaigned hard for throughout legislative opportunities in Westminster.

"I hope the National Assembly Government for Wales also consults on direct elections for the three National Parks in Wales. The good work that these organisations do is often damaged by the unaccountable nature of their members and their committee structure.

"A proportion of seats for directly elected members would encourage the electorate to participate in National Park issues and not just react to issues as they arise.

NOTES:

Tim Farron MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has recently tabled an Early Day Motion on this matter (EDM 2143 'National Parks'), which calls for National Parks to have a 'directly elected element'.