Neil was proud to stand on a Conservative Manifesto that promised to give the British people an in/out referendum on our membership of the European Union.The British people have had their say and the United Kingdom will now be leaving the EU. Neil strongly believes their decision must be respected. As Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee, Neil will now be fighting tooth and nail to get the best possible settlement for Britain’s agricultural and food & drink industries in the Brexit negotiations.

One of Neil’s top priorities is improving the quality of the air we breathe. Shockingly, poor quality air in Britain’s towns and cities is linked to between 40,000 and 50,000 early deaths per year. Britain is still in breach of its legal obligations on air quality in many of its largest urban centres. It is something Neil is passionate about changing.Environment Select Committee Report

Neil cares deeply about getting fairer funding for Devon schools. For too long, rural schools in counties like Devon have had a raw deal, while urban schools have received far more funding per pupil.Historic UnfairnessDevon schools have been among the worst-funded in England. Each individual Devon schoolchild receives £270 less per head than the average for England, and three and four-year-olds receive £620 less per year than the average for England.

Neil recognises the real need for improvements in transport to the South West and rural transport.The economy of the South West of England is bigger than Merseyside, Tyne and Wear, South Wales or Leeds. But is it only served by one mail rail ink and one main road link. This causes congestion, delays and stifles economy and social benefits in the South West.

 BroadbandCampaigning 2010-2015.Campaigning for superfast broadband in Devon has been one of Neil’s top priorities since his election in 2010.  In his Maiden Speech to the House of Commons, he pressed the Government to ‘roll out broadband throughout the constituency and throughout rural areas’.

Neil is passionate about animal welfare. Soon after being elected in May 2010, Neil was appointed Chairman of the All-Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Animal Welfare in July 2010.