Wild Things columnist Eric Brown takes a rare excursion into the world of politics, discovers discouraging news for wildlife and finds the new minister going in to bat for nature is something of a mystery man.

Politics seems best avoided in this column but recent developments force me to consider the implications of a government change. I've been distinctly underwhelmed by Conservative efforts on behalf of nature and wildlife over 14 years, so there's plenty of room for improvement under newly-elected Labour. What changes can we expect to benefit creatures with whom we share the planet?

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Sadly, early signs are not encouraging. Labour has signalled it wants to build 300,000 houses each year. But where? It intends relaxing planning rules including those protecting cherished green belt land which offers sanctuary to badgers, foxes, flowers, trees, insects and many birds around towns and cities. Just five days after being elected, Labour announced the removal of a nine-year ban on onshore wind farm construction described by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as "absurd". Throwing up more of these white-armed monstrosities will destroy countless acres of countryside and much of the wildlife that depends on it. As if that were not bad enough, Keir Starmer's generals intend sending an army of new electricity pylons marching across what's left of England's green and pleasant land as they search for a political nirvana where the electricity generation system emits zero carbon within six years.

Amazingly these destructive measures were announced before any plan to tackle long-standing countryside issues such as forcing water companies to tackle water quality in rivers and beaches polluted with their sewage discharges, the future of trail hunting, badger culling plus regular flooding and drought.

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Swift action is needed to clean up waterways polluted by illegal water company emissions if lives of otters, water voles, grass snakes, fish, frogs, herons, kingfishers, dippers and others are to be saved.

Who will fight nature's corner? Anyone know the name of the new minister for the environment, food and rural affairs? Thought not. Steve Reed is a bit of a mystery man. His biography on the official government website runs to just 31 words and 18 of those are simply his name, job title and date of appointment. From other sources I have discovered the MP for Streatham and Croydon North was born on November 12, 1963, married his partner and had seven Labour shadow roles in 11 years. He was Lambeth Council leader in 2006 and led an improvement programme recognised with an OBE in 2013. Before that he held a job in educational publishing. Whether a publishing background and sitting on numerous council committees will prove perfect training for an environment supremo only time will tell. One important aspect of the job is supporting and liaising with farmers. Surely there are few farms in Mr Reed's constituency, which includes Brixton?

If Mr Reed conducts his new job with vigour and purpose, he will risk the wrath of Labour big-wigs by vehemently opposing the systematic vandalisation of England's countryside. The chances seem slim.

Whatever happens it would be unwise, given precedent, for Mr Reed to plant his feet firmly under the environment table. He is the fifth minister in this "here today, gone tomorrow" job since 2020. That year there were three different environment ministers. Such rapid change suggests the baton of countryside and wildlife stewardship is unlikely to remain with Mr Reed for more than a couple of years.

If you wish to contact Mr Reed with concerns about the environment you can do so at his Parliamentary office: steve.reed.mp@parliament.uk (0207 219 7297) or constituency office on 0208 665 1214.