Invite your MP to see the value of shooting

The importance of political engagement

The autumn political party conference season is always an intense few weeks for BASC’s political team, and this year was the busiest ever. The team engaged with MPs, peers, and policy advisers at the Reform, Liberal Democrat, Labour, Green, and Conservative events.

Alongside joint rural receptions with the Angling Trust, BASC staff and supporters attended a wide range of conference events. These offered valuable opportunities to meet MPs and connect with organisations whose interests overlap with ours.

Why BASC attends party conferences

BASC’s ongoing engagement helps counter the arguments of those seeking to commit their parties to policies that could undermine shooting. The aim is clear – to achieve consensus across all parties in support of shooting and conservation.

If every major party that could form a government understands the value of shooting, then the principle is safe. From there, the debate becomes how we shoot, not if we should.

Keeping the momentum going

Now that the conference season is over, BASC has reached many MPs on behalf of the shooting community. Some of those MPs will be ministers in the future. You can help keep that momentum going – because with 650 MPs in the House of Commons, there’s always more to do.

Shooting’s contribution to the UK

Around 620,000 people take part in shooting sports in the UK – less than 1% of the population. Yet shooting is worth more than golf to the UK economy, and conservation work on shooting land covers an area over 20 times larger than the combined holdings of the National Trust and RSPB.

That’s landscape-scale nature recovery, the kind no single charity could match.

However, lawful firearms ownership is often misunderstood. The link between shooting and conservation remains a paradox for many. Reports such as the 2024 Value of Shooting highlight the facts and figures, but we need more storytellers to share the real picture.

Why your voice matters

Apathy is our enemy. Each of us has influence as a local constituent, and a direct conversation with your MP can have far greater impact than a lobbying leaflet or conference anecdote.

You might run a gun shop, a game shoot, a wildfowling club, a clay ground or a rifle range. Perhaps you control pests, manage deer, or keep pigeon numbers down. Inviting your MP to see what you do can change hearts and minds – particularly if they have reservations about shooting. These educational visits are remembered when policy decisions are made.

Support across the UK nations

It’s not just MPs who shape legislation affecting shooting. Devolved governments in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland also make key decisions. BASC’s country teams represent shooting interests at every level, but they need your voice and support too.

Get involved

If any of this resonates with you – even if you’re not currently a BASC member – email Conor at conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk to find out how you can help promote shooting’s positive impact on the countryside.