General election campaign stands up for shooting
A web-based general election campaign site which helps people to lobby their parliamentary candidates on shooting has been launched by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). The website will also identify where MPs elected to the next parliament stand on shooting.
The site is the only UK lobbying platform on the web solely devoted to shooting. It will allow voters to identify their local candidates’ views on shooting. It is being launched now to ensure that shooters can lobby their candidates before they are deluged with campaigning material in the run-up to the general election on 7th May 2015.
BASC Chairman Alan Jarrett said: “Every vote counts in an election, especially in times when hung parliaments and coalition governments are possible. This website will allow us to make sure shooting’s voice is heard in Westminster. Candidates will be left in no doubt that shooting matters to their constituents and we will have a good indication of where MPs stand in the next parliament. I would urge everyone to make sure they and their friends make use of the website as soon as possible.”
The site will allow people to see their candidates’ views on shooting and to email candidates to establish their position if they have not recorded one. It will also allow people to promote shooting to candidates and to invite them to find out more. As new candidates are selected their names will be added to the website. The site can be found at http://politics.basc.org.uk
Richard Ali, BASC Chief Executive said: “The general election is just around the corner. In a matter of months BASC will be working with a new government and a new parliament. This campaign site offers an essential tool to everyone who shoots. The information sent to candidates includes facts from the recent Value of Shooting report. Each email will inform a candidate that shooting supports the equivalent of 74,000 full-time jobs and generates £2 billion for the economy every year. It will tell them that shooting is involved in the management of two-thirds of the rural land area in the UK and that we spend £250 million on conservation.”
“The site also allows people to personalise their emails and to offer candidates the chance to come and find out for themselves the facts about shooting in the local area. It will be the only campaign site solely for shooting and will give us a unique insight into the next parliament. You don’t have to be a BASC member to use the site and we would like people to start seeking the views of candidates as soon as possible. ”
For more details please call the BASC press office on 01244 573052 or email press@basc.org.uk
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