Nick Timothy, the MP for West Suffolk, has blasted the Government’s failure to prioritise food security — as he said the push to build solar panels on agricultural land was part of a ‘dumb’ energy policy.
He made the comments at a question and answer event on Saturday 10 May 2025 with residents in Thurlow at the newly re-opened Cock pub.
Residents asked Mr Timothy for his perspective on the Government’s energy policy and about the large number of planning applications for solar farms that have been submitted for approval.
Proposals currently being considered include those for solar farms on farmland in Brandon, Cavendish and Whepstead — in addition to the Sunnica solar farm and battery storage site which is being pushed through by the Government following Ed Miliband’s green-lighting of the project last July.
Speaking on energy policy and the Government’s campaign for more solar farms, Mr Timothy said: “The whole of East Anglia is in a very vulnerable position, and not just with solar farms. The Government need to reconstruct the entire national grid by 2030, according to their policy, and they will be building wind turbines which will come in through the east coast. We are in quite an exposed position.
“Ground-based solar is not just bad locally or for agriculture. It is dumb energy policy. Solar and wind are highly intermittent which makes them more unreliable and more expensive.”
Residents also quizzed Mr Timothy about his views on local government reform. He said parish councils should be able to take greater power over improving traffic safety in local communities. “Parish councils should have more direct ability to influence what happens in your village,” he said.
One resident pointed to traffic safety issues in the area, including speeding and a problem with the number of lorries travelling through the area in the midst of ongoing construction at High Point prison, whose significant expansion is scheduled for completion in the Summer of 2027.
Mr Timothy said: “We have to have greater control over speeding in our villages.”
Commenting after the meeting, Mr Timothy said: “I enjoyed the meeting and welcomed the chance to meet residents in their village and hear their thoughts on a range of national and local issues.
“I always learn a lot from events such as this. A big thanks to all the residents who came along to chat and share their views.”
