Forest Gumption

I AM writing having returned to the Commons Library from Victoria Gardens — next to the Lords — where I gave an interview to ITV. The location was chosen for its backdrop of trees. Most appropriate, given the subject of forestry.

Anchor-man Bob Constantine popped the questions on a new report on how we should best preserve and utilise our forests and woodlands. You may remember the general gnashing, foaming and carpet chewing that greeted the Government's initial proposals for our wooded parts — a plan to sell off much of our woodlands whilst protecting access.

There was a lot of misinformation at the time as to what the proposals meant — the most damaging conjuring up unscrupulous private businesses (private businesses are often dressed up as bogey-men by my chums on the left) greeting nice mums, dads and their chirpy children at hitherto accessible and sunny glades with satanic signs and cement mixers.

I wasn't buying the whole nine yards of that, of course — even as a new MP I have learned that those who oppose tend to throw in the kitchen sink alongside the reasoned argument — but I did buy enough of the objections to make me queasy about what we planned.

My main concern was that the risk of reduced access could not be fully mitigated. So I trotted off to our whips office to tell the nice people there that I could not support the Government. The rack was applied, the knuckle-dusters flexed and the tickling stick wafted but I stayed firm. I am pleased I did.

The Government's re-think has led to this report that recommends that public ownership of our public forestry estate be enshrined in law and underpinned by charter. The Government agrees. Now we know that our woodlands are ours and will remain so.