Two members of the Core Group met with Mel Stride MP on Friday 11 February. We handed over two petitions - one 'Save our Forests' and the other to support Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall's fish discards campaign [perfectly good fish thrown back in the sea because of stupid regulations]. 100 signatures had been collected in under two hours in Crediton High Street, showing the strength of feeling on these issues. 

We also spoke about our dismay at cuts to rural buses, especially in Cheriton Fitzpaine, and handed Mel a letter on this.

In the ten minutes allowed we managed to follow up previous questions about proper funding for a Green Bank and Government support for renewable energy. We expressed concerns about the threatened review of FITs payments for larger and community projects and the lack of research into potential demand for electricity and reduction of demand by energy conservation. We were asked to send a letter about this which has now been done. 

Mel said he would look into all these matters and ask questions of the relevant ministers. He did say that he had defied the whip to abstain from supporting the Government on the forest sell-off, so let's hope he will be equally supportive of our views on other issues.