So, the general election then . . . no wait, come back!

Inescapable in the mainstream and social media at the moment, we still have almost three more weeks of campaigning to get through. No doubt in that time there will be more grandstanding, more gaffes, more claims and counter claims and more incredibly accurate polls showing swings this way or points that way!

We all have causes which are close to us when deciding which way to vote but an interesting area of consideration related to the turf care industry which has cropped up is concerned with the upkeep of parks and public green spaces.

In recent months, the nation’s green spaces have had significant political attention through the Communities and Local Government Parliamentary Committee Inquiry and its subsequent report into Public Parks. However the dissolution of Parliament, before CLG Parks Minister Andrew Percy had formally responded to the report, has risked the loss of impetus and the issue being overlooked in a crowded legislative programme of the next Parliament.

That is certainly the view of UK-wide green space charity Fields in Trust who have launched a “Manifesto for Parks” in advance of the vote on June 8th. This manifesto calls on the next government to recognise the vital contribution that parks and playing fields make to the physical health and mental wellbeing of our communities.

What Fields In Trust are doing with their manifesto is asking voters to challenge their local prospective parliamentary candidate on their support for parks. They are calling for a re-valuing of green spaces, to take account, not just of the cost of upkeep, but the vital contribution parks make to health, wellbeing and community cohesion - and to ensure they are safeguarded for future generations.

Writing in the foreword of the manifesto Fields in Trust Chief Executive, Helen Griffiths said, “Our nation’s parks and green spaces are at a critical juncture. In these challenging times, our local spaces are vulnerable to closure and so it is important we stand up to champion the positive impact they have on our society. Our Manifesto for Parks furthers the calls set out in our inquiry submission through four policy 'green lines'."

These 'green lines' which they are setting out are:

• Championing our parks is about revaluing our green spaces to ensure their contribution to society is properly recognised.
• Supporting our communities calls for parks to be available to all.
• Activating our nation puts parks at the heart of efforts to create a healthier nation.
• Protecting our green future looks at how the next generations require a safeguarding of our parks today”.

The manifesto is available to download from the Fields in Trust website here.

Fields In Trust believe that this election, presents an opportunity to ensure the UKs Parks, Playing Fields and green spaces are addressed as a vital national issue by the next government.

Certainly we know it is an area of great importance to members of the turf professional community who are employed in the sector - but hopefully with initiatives like this, the message will get out that it's an area which affects the whole community.

Of course it's not up there with health and education. But if an engaged electorate is armed with some knowledge on the subject, which will allow them to interrogate their prospective members of parliament on their views on the subject, schemes such as this are to be applauded.