In my last article I wrote that there was a ‘lot to do and not much time’. That was just before we heard that the Prime Minister
was calling an imminent election…
That decision could not have been timed worse for the trade. The Conservative government has had an unprecedented four consultations running that directly influence us all: licensing, fees, lead and moderators. The GTA has been pushing politicians and officials to deliver on those topics under scrutiny. There had just recently been some optimism that we were going to see some results. Now we have a general election on 4 July, that whole raft of work has been blown out of the water. Years of
wasted effort.
What does that mean?
First, this will create delay in getting legislation underway. More important however is the different views that new ministers might have on the direction of all the work from the last two years. Looking at the polls at the time of writing, there is a strong indication we will be seeing a Labour government in power in days. With that comes very different viewpoints. While there has been some indication that the Labour Party do not want to upset the rural community – and that shooting can continue to form a key part of rural life – the devil is in the detail. Steve Read, the shadow environment secretary, said last year that he supported ‘sustainable shooting conducted according to the law’. Fine, but that doesn’t say what laws might change to suit their ideology.
I am particularly concerned about the Labour manifesto. The only mention of firearms comes under a heading of ‘Knife crime action plan’. They intend to create a Youth Futures programme: “we will place youth workers and mentors in A&E units and Pupil Referral Units, funded by full recovery of the cost of firearm licensing.” I’m sorry but what is the connection between these issues? Full cost recovery for firearms licensing is what is needed to provide law abiding citizens with an efficient licensing system and to pay the police for providing that service. How can this be connected to knife crime? I am already seeking clarification. For such bizarre statements to appear in a considered manifesto shows both a failure to understand the system but also a dangerous ideological tendency to attack gun ownership.
Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, has also recently said she wants to find a post-BREXIT alignment with Europe on chemical management. While there may be some sense in that for many reasons, it does mean that the long debate on the restriction of lead in ammunition could become more complex. We have spent over two years finding a way forward that is near to being finalised. Alignment with Europe could undermine many of the sensible derogations that we are expecting. It also means loads more uncertainty for the industry. A change in government need not cause any great further delay on getting the UK version signed off. The officials in DEFRA and the HSE will still produce their recommendations for ministers to consider in September. This process has been about evidence and proportionality. I hope the new secretary of state will not seek to introduce any subjective ideological revision or delay.
So, what do we need to do? There will of course be a need for education of the new government’s ministers – and some serious challenging over the knife crime action plan. Home Office officials will present all the facts and provide options for decision. The shooting organisations and the GTA will also play a role in providing further information on the detailed arguments.
There is however a far bigger role for us all to play. We must project shooting across all its forms in the positive light that it deserves. We now have the Value of Shooting report that provides evidence about the importance of shooting to the economy. Visit the website for all the detail.
This has been the subject of a huge amount of work behind the scenes with engagement of all the shooting organisations. This is not just about the election. This is what we need to keep explaining why shooting is important in the months and years to come. It gives us the facts and figures to be able to represent the importance of what shooting offers: jobs, businesses, environment, the way of life, diversity, accessibility, mental health etc. We must use this document as the foundation of getting our message out to the public and politicians.
We already have strong legislation and statutory guidance. We don’t need any overzealous ideological battle against guns. My message to a new government is we go with the work that has taken so long, let’s remove uncertainty and see support for our community. We need ministers with a strong moral compass to do what is right, even if they are not familiar with what happens in the countryside. Where we need to, let’s provide those introductions and be proud of what we do.
Yes, we face some challenging times ahead but let us have the facts at our fingertips and work hard together to ensure that we defend our sport
and businesses.
