Shambles in hunt for rural guru
03 February 1999
‘Shambles’ in hunt for rural guru
THE governments search for a chairman to head the new Countryside Agency has “turned into a shambles,” reports the Financial Times.
Two strongly-tipped candidates have been ditched amid fears that their appointment would lead to accusations of political “cronyism”.
Tony Blair was believed to be considering appointing Ewen Cameron, the former president of the Country Landowners Association, the lobby group for some of Britains wealthiest farmers.
But environment minister Michael Meacher is said to have objected vociferously on the grounds that Mr Cameron is a long-term opponent of the governments plans for “right-to-roam” legislation.
Others had expected the Mr Blair to appoint Elinor Goodman, the political editor of Channel 4 News.
But the idea was vetoed on the grounds that her estranged husband works in the Number 10 policy unit.
The government has now reopened the selection process for the position even though it comes into being in two months time.
The new agency is being formed from the merger of the Countryside Commission and the Rural Development Commission.
It will have a budget of £50 million a year and 350 staff and will advise ministers on landscape conversion and promoting the rural economy.
- Journalist tipped for countryside job, FWi, 25 January, 1999
- Financial Times 03/02/99 page 10