Get to know David Bean, Parliament and Government Relations Manager at the Countryside Alliance

David joined the Countryside Alliance in October 2021 as Parliament and Government Relations Manager.

How did your previous roles prepare you for working at the Alliance?

I grew up in rural Perthshire and, early in my career, helped develop policy for a national food retailer. Later I moved into politics, spending eight years at the House of Commons where my longest stint was as a Defra policy adviser to Government MPs.

What inspired you to apply to work for the Alliance?

Like most people I've been aware of the Alliance since the march [Liberty and Livelihood March, which took place on 22 September 2002], but it wasn't until working in Parliament that we came into direct touch. I found out a lot more about the breadth of its work and got to know the political and campaigns team. When the role was advertised, I was looking to move into public affairs, and between my previous experience of rural policy and a broad ideological alignment I thought I could be a good fit.

Have you always been a country sports enthusiast?

I never grew up around country sports so have had some catching up to do on the practical aspects: my main interest has been stopping unjustified attacks on entirely lawful and legitimate pursuits. That said, our shooting campaign held an excellent clay day for parliamentary staff earlier in the year, which aside from being a great opportunity to make in-roads with MPs' offices, was also a lot of fun.

What are you anticipating to be the challenges our members face in the year ahead?

When Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister, we identified three main challenges affecting the countryside: the cost of living, securing the British food supply and developing rural communities. We're working closely with the government on these and other vital issues, making sure the rural way of life can endure.

Fun fact

Outside work I'm fascinated with alternative history: stories and essays that examine "what if" some significant historical event turned out differently. I've had a couple of my own contributions published in an anthology series from Biteback Publishing, most recently looking at whether Eric Joyce's parliamentary punch-up in 2012 might be traced as the root of much of British and global politics as it stands today.