COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE
Nick is Chairman of the Countryside Alliance, which campaigns for rural issues, such as farming, rural services, small businesses and country sports, aiming to "Give Rural Britain a voice".
As Chairman, Nick oversees and manages the Board which advises the Chief Executive in setting the Alliance’s objectives and goals.
Nick was Political Affairs Director of the British Field Sports Society in the 1990s, in which role he played a leading role in setting up the Countryside Movement, which became the Countryside Alliance.
On being appointed Chairman in October 2019, Nick said “The Countryside Alliance is one of the UK’s biggest campaigning groups, and its mission to stand up for the countryside and the rural way of life has never been more important. I am passionate about these issues, and I’m honoured to be taking up this role at such a critical time for the countryside. Having been involved in creating the movement some years ago it feels like I’m coming home.”
In a Sunday Telegraph article Nick argues that Labour will never win the trust of rural voters for as long as it goes to war with their traditions
In an article in The House magazine Nick argues that attempts to abolish trail hunting are unjustified and alienate voters in the countryside.
In the House of Lords Nick warns that a new Animal Sentience Committee risks becoming a Trojan horse to attack wildlife management, farming and rural communities.
In the House of Lords Nick questions why the Government is rejecting any amendment to the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.
The Animal Sentience Bill is in danger of becoming a Trojan Horse for an extreme agenda that the Government never intended and will come to regret.
In a speech on the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill in the House of Lords Nick argues that sentience has been recognised in 200 years of animal welfare legislation
Nick writes in ‘My Countryside’ magazine about about the political and legal threats to rural activities.
Writing in the Telegraph, Nick says that country people want to be able to get on with their lives and recreation without being pilloried by a pressure group, tormented by an official with a clipboard, or treated as criminals.
Nick makes his maiden speech in the House of Lords in the Second Reading debate on the Fire Safety Bill
The Countryside Alliance Chairman talks about where hunting lies in the political landscape and what can be done to secure its future.