SIR Charles Walker MP, one of many MPs that voted to block anti-sewage measures in October 2021, has announced that he is stepping down as Chair of the Angling Trust.
A lifelong angler, Charles was appointed as the unpaid Chair of the Angling Trust’s Board of Directors in May 2022 after he announced his decision to retire from Parliament at the next general election.
A statement released by the Trust reasoning his departure suggests the Conservative MP for Broxbourne feels he can no longer do justice to his role within the Trust while sitting as a serving MP in the current ‘febrile’ political climate, which will only become more intense as the General Election approaches.
Reacting to the departure, Angling Trust CEO Jamie Cook said: “I shall be sorry to see Charles step down, as he is a fantastic and long-standing advocate for angling and was by far the strongest candidate for the job.
“As our Chair, he has helped us overturn angling restrictions on places like the Attenborough Nature Reserve and move forward with exciting proposals for a recreational tuna fishery.”
Sir Charles’ appointment to serve on the House of Commons Standards and Privileges Committee last October, in addition to his roles as Chairman of the Administration Committee and as a Commissioner of the House of Commons Commission were key in his decision to step-down at the Trust.
“I have nothing but admiration for Jamie Cook and the excellent team at the Angling Trust, and will continue to work with them,” he said.
“However, with an increased workload in the Commons and a hard-fought general election looming, I have come to the conclusion that I simply cannot spare time to do justice to the role.
“I will be continuing my work as Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Angling and on Chalkstreams and intend to remain fully engaged in the Trust’s campaigns.
“Where I can, I will do my best to ensure that fish and fishing are still championed in Parliament.”
