Yesterday, Andy Burnham stood on the pavement outside Number 10 Downing Street to deliver his first address to the nation. Early on in his speech, Mr Burnham made a pointed reference to “wrong turns” implemented in the 1980s. He blamed these policies as being central to many of the problems Britons experience today. To many in the countryside, including an entire generation of young farmers, however, the effects of “wrong turns” are being felt from policies enacted far more recently than 40 years ago.
Family Farm Tax: a major political mistake
It is undeniable that the Family Farm Tax was one of Keir Starmer’s biggest political mistakes - especially because of the journey his party had been on to reconnect with rural voters after a prolonged period in the wilderness. Under his leadership, Labour secured over 100 rural constituencies, yet within a few weeks of taking office the Treasury went straight for taxing farmers.
Ministers had clearly underestimated public support for the custodians of the countryside. Repeated polls revealed strong public opposition to the policy. Despite numerous attempts, many rural organisations felt shut out when trying to find a reasonable compromise that wouldn’t see family farms thrown under the bus.
Protests and fallout
It prompted huge demonstrations, not seen on the streets of Westminster since the last time a Labour government picked a fight with the countryside over hunting in the early noughties. Eventually, the government offered a partial row back, but the damage was done. When the TV channels rolled out their montage of Starmer’s two-year premiership following his resignation, it was the banners of protesting farmers alongside their tractors that stood out.
With near-on daily dramatic events in the theatre of politics it is easy to forget one political fallout from the next. Be in no doubt, however, that the pain felt by the Family Farm Tax is very much alive across the countryside.
Rural businesses struggling
But it isn’t just farmers. Rural businesses are also struggling, not least our pubs, as a result of increased taxes and National Insurance. Hard working men and women have been and continue to be faced with extremely difficult decisions, agonising over the responsibility they have as one of few employers for miles around. Then there’s the steady slip towards a toxic culture war, with the government prioritising banning trail hunting and clamping down on game shooting. Both of which would further harm an already fragile rural economy.
Of course, it doesn’t need to be like this.
A chance to reset relations
Andy Burnham’s government has a unique opportunity to reset relations with rural people. Yesterday, he boldly declared he’d “bring back hope” and boy does the countryside genuinely want to believe him. But hope is built on trust, and trust is earned through respect and action.
Tomorrow, the Festival of Hounds will take place alongside the prestigious Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show – which celebrates its 138th anniversary. Rural people from across the country will gather at the East of England showground to celebrate the rural way of life. Attendees, who will be there in their thousands, ask very little of government other than understanding. In and among the hustle and bustle of hound judging and trade stands, people will be talking about what Andy Burnham does next. Will he bring about the “change” that so many before him have promised, or will rural Britain remain an afterthought?
Through DEFRA, the Prime Minister can listen to rural voices, right the wrongs of the last two years and embrace policies that genuinely help rural communities thrive. The countryside wants to play its part in building a “national sense of unity, of common purpose and positivity”. But if "change" turns out to be nothing more than a repeat of past mistakes, rural people will feel sidelined, let down and hurt. Hope cannot be confined solely to the towns and cities. Mr Burnham must bring rural people on that journey too.
We all wish the Prime Minister and his team well in that endeavour. Let’s have no more “wrong turns”.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher is director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance.
