Steve Brine warmly welcomes change of heart from Government and salutes coalition for putting its hands up.
Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine says he is "very pleased" after the Government did a u-turn on plans to change the ownership of many of England's forests and woodlands.
Speaking from Westminster today (Thurs 17 February 2011) he commented; “It is no secret that I did not support the coalition Government on this one so I was very pleased when they announced this change of heart.
"Ministers failed to convince me of the merits of their proposals and I did not receive the assurances I was looking for centred around access, biodiversity or long-term ownership.
"So many people got in touch with me on this, in fact more than anything else I have had since I was elected last May. I am extremely heartened that our new politics has demonstrated that the new government is prepared to listen and put its hands up when it gets something wrong, as in this case."
Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman told MPs she was sorry and announced the immediate end of the consultation period due to overwhelming negative feedback from some MPs and the public.
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You can view Caroline Spelman's statement to MPs in full here.