Tony Blair has been urged to keep a strong voice for the countryside at the heart of government.

Chairman of the Counrtyside Agency Sir Ewen Cameron, who was set to step down after five years in the post on Wednesday, says there is still a huge amount of work to do to improve the quality of life and public services in the countryside.

He is particularly anxious that ministers and departments be held to account over their policies and how they affect rural life.

Forum Response: Countryside Agency

Sir Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency said: "It’s really hard work to get the Department of Health to push and promote action for rural areas. They don’t want more targets on primar care but we think there can be different ways to deliver in rural areas."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "We
welcome Sir Ewen's frankness about government inadequacies on rural issues, but it is a shame that it is only now, when the Agency is being reformed, that it finds the bite it has been lacking for so long.

"Sir Ewen's criticisms of the Department of Health and the MoD are valid, but rapid improvements could be made if the government stepped up the implementation of its rural proofing policy.

"Rural proofing - ensuring that rural considerations are an integral part of government policy making must be taken seriously by government, which has an important role to play in assisting its departments in fully embracing rural proofing. In addition, government must ensure that rural proofing is promoted at both internal and external level.

"Sir Ewen leaves the Agency at a crucial time in its development and we look forward to meeting and working with the new chairman, who has a huge challenge ahead."