The National Trust has raised concerns about “political pressure” and defended its right to lobby on nature amid a renewed campaign by a self-styled “anti-woke” group seeking to recruit Conservative MPs to its cause.
The leadership of the UK’s largest charity is facing a fresh challenge at its annual meeting next month from the right-leaning Restore Trust group, whose candidates tried but failed to win seats on the National Trust’s 36-strong governing council last year.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
The National Trust has raised concerns about “political pressure” and defended its right to lobby on nature amid a renewed campaign by a self-styled “anti-woke” group seeking to recruit Conservative MPs to its cause.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Conservative MP, and Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader, have shared social media attack adverts this year linked to the Restore Trust campaign.
A veteran Tory party activist, who ran campaigns for Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, has also sent out invitations to join a WhatsApp group set up for MPs and peers.
“Our governance depends on independent citizens who are free from political influence, acting collectively in the best interests of this charity,” a spokesperson said.
At an event at the Conservative party conference this week, the National Trust’s director general, Hilary McGrady, also defended its right to oppose policies, such as the government’s plans to scrap pollution rules for housebuilders, that would harm nature.
“I’ve got very thick skin these days,” she told the Guardian, adding: “But to be really clear, the National Trust was founded to actually look after green space.”
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