Bob Earll blog:   With the resignation of Theresa May, and the election for a new Prime Minister a great deal will change. Michael Gove is standing in the election for the next Tory leader and whoever wins it seems likely that there will be a major change of the ministerial team and leadership at Defra.

Love him or loathe him Michael Gove has been a breath of fresh air at Defra in comparison with his Tory predecessors  (Liz Truss, Andrea Leadsom & ‘Green Blob’ Owen Paterson), who effectively did very little for the environment whilst fully implementing the austerity cuts on the agencies.

Of all the main ‘Leavers’ Michael Gove is really the only one who has emerged from the last few years with any credit. He gets ‘environment’ and ‘climate change’ and his agency appointments (Howard & Juniper) reflect this. The Farming Bill and its emphasis on payments for environmental services could be a game changer and he has led the way with Environment Bill.

Michael Gove has supported May’s attempt to get a deal whilst quietly getting on with planning for the implications of such a move. He seems to be on the side of a softer Brexit realising the danger of no-deal. The major concern is that the Farage inspired, ‘No deal’ accepting Tory candidates seem to be taking their lead on environment and climate change from the Donald Trump school of thinking.

There will be change at the top in Defra and the scenario under the ‘No dealers’ is a depressing option.

Meanwhile, and pre the resignation, Greener UK have just published one of their comprehensive updates of the current political scene covering the climate emergency, and the legislative progress on farming, environment and fisheries.