Nick Butler, vice president of the Fabian Society and steering committee member of Future Countryside, is interviewed by Emily Norton, Director of Future Countryside where they chat about their love for the countryside, energy policy and Nick’s role in advising Labour governments.

I’m delighted to be part of an event that’s taking a fresh look at the challenge and our responsibilities, that’s getting us talking about the route map that will deliver us to a healthy, prosperous, valued countryside and a promising future for the people who live and work there. More than anything, and because I know there is no shortage of vision, I’m going to be listening for the who and the how.

The building of a vibrant countryside is something that concerns all of us whether we live in urban or rural settings as not only does it produce food and many public goods our stunning landscape also underpins the tourism economy.

I all too vividly remember my first real trip to the countryside, with posh middle-class people from university. They all seemed to undergo a complete personality change on the way there. The wan-faced lot smoking roll ups and drinking black coffee from unwashed cups became rosy cheeked Scout leaders, dressed in boots and sturdy walking gear that I did not possess or even recognise.

I have lived and worked in the British countryside for a significant proportion of my life. I have witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly, and at times have had the opportunity to make a difference to a landscape that is always evolving.

Peers from the cross-party House of Lords land use in England commission have laid out their priorities for a land use framework, which would divide up the land in England and decide where is best for different types of agriculture, as well as carbon sequestration, nature restoration and recreation.