The UK Fisheries Campaign is fortunate in having secured the support and backing of some important politicians with a knowledge of and interest in fishing. For the UK Fisheries Campaign to be successful, it is essential that we have this support. The politicians below are amongst the first to be part of our ‘Political Advisory Group’. Being cross-party, they do not all agree on all things, but the one thing they have in common is wanting what is best for the British fishing industry, from the top of the country to the bottom.
More politicians have approached us since our Campaign got off the ground, so look out for further announcements soon!
The Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland
Alistair was born and brought up on Islay, the son of hill farmers. He is a family man with two sons. A qualified solicitor, he was first elected to Parliament in 2001 and has had a distinguished career, including being Secretary of State for Scotland.
Of particular interest to readers will be his current role as Chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. He has taken strong positions on fishing and in November last year (2024) he led a three-hour parliamentary debate on the UK fishing industry.
Politics can be quite tribal but Alistair is known for working with people of other parties – something which is important to the UKFC as we are strictly non-partisan. We are delighted to have Alistair’s wisdom and experience to guide us.
Tim Eagle, MSP for the Highlands and Islands Region
Tim Eagle MSP is the Member of the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood representing the Highlands and Islands Region. He is also the Conservatives’ Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Fishing.
A farmer and family man with two young children, Tim has been actively involved in supporting Scottish fishermen and has thrown his support behind the UK Fisheries Campaign for the whole nation.
We would like to thank him for his invaluable assistance and advice to date.
The Rt Hon Sir John Redwood
The Rt Hon Sir John Redwood, a businessman and an MP for 37 years (until last year), held many positions including Secretary of State.
He was one of only two Conservative MPs who refused to vote for the then government’s EU fishing deal throughout all its iterations. A strong opponent of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy for many years, he has been an equally strong advocate for policies to rebuild our fishing fleet.
Sir John was one of those who proposed a ban on the EU’s large industrial trawlers and a big reduction in the quotas of fish allocated to EU vessels.
His experience in government is invaluable to us.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns
Dame Andrea Jenkyns first came to national political notice with her famous victory in the 2015 general election, when she ousted Morley & Outwood MP (and Labour’s Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer) Ed Balls.
From there she held various junior government positions and chaired several all-party committees. Known for being ‘an outspoken northern lass’, she also has the sole claim to fame of publicly calling for the resignation of not one, but two Prime Ministers – both from her own party: Theresa May and Rishi Sunak.
In late 2024, Dame Andrea once again came to the public’s attention at a major Reform UK rally, when Nigel Farage brought her on stage and introduced her as Reform’s candidate for Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, for which the ballot takes place in a week’s time on 01 May.
We are delighted to have another high profile advocate for the cause and look forward to her being interviewed over the reports the UKFC will be publishing in the difficult months ahead. Knowing Andrea, she won’t take any prisoners !
The UK Fisheries Campaign has contacted other MPs and welcomes approaches from any who would like to support our fishing communities in the forthcoming negotiations with the EU. Please contact us here and our Chairman will be happy to elaborate.
Affiliated Organisations
All at the UKFC are very keen that the Campaign should involve as many fishermen – and small or large groups – up and down the entire country, including Northern Ireland of course. We also welcome the support and endorsements from organisations of all kinds – not restricted to fishery specialists – and would be happy to append your logo and a link to your site.
Please contact us here and we would love to talk!
We will shortly be publishing a list of affiliated organisations below.