Opened the debate
Mr Thomas thanked Mr Speaker for allowing him to bring forward a debate on the National Trust during its 125th anniversary year. He praised the trust as an important British institution and emphasised his positive relationship with it, which he said brings him to raise concerns. He highlighted that the National Trust's purpose is to promote the permanent preservation of lands and buildings for public benefit but noted increasing evidence of the trust acting unaccountably, imposing on lives and livelihoods without proper recourse or engagement. He cited examples from west Cornwall including landowner impositions, house sales issues, levies on developments, disregard for local sensitivities, and blocking renewable energy installations. Mr Thomas also expressed concern about the National Trust's approach to tenant farmers and its stance on supporting small family farms versus holiday accommodation, which he sees as contrary to government efforts to support fresh blood in farming.