Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been warned he faces a monumental challenge in repairing relations with rural Britain, as traditional Boxing Day hunts proceed under the threat of a government crackdown.
Policy Decisions Deepen Countryside Divide
The Labour administration's recent announcement of its intention to prohibit trail hunting has significantly heightened existing tensions. This move, revealed just days before the annual Boxing Day events, is viewed by many in rural areas as a direct attack on their way of life. The discontent is further fuelled by ongoing resentment over changes to inheritance tax, despite a partial government reversal on the policy.
The pressure group The Countryside Alliance argues that the government has successfully "alienated rural people." Their claim is supported by polling data from ORB International, which indicates that 65 per cent of voters believe the Labour government unfairly neglects country communities.
The Battle Over Trail Hunting
The proposed ban targets trail hunting, a practice where hounds follow a pre-laid scent. Ministers contend it is too often a smokescreen for illegal fox hunting and forms a key part of a new animal welfare strategy launched before Christmas. The government has confirmed it will open a public consultation in early 2026 on how to implement the ban.
Defending the tradition, the Countryside Alliance states that trail hunting was introduced to comply with the 2004 Hunting Act and emphasises its economic contribution. The group claims hunts inject over £100 million annually into the rural economy, with tens of thousands expected at Boxing Day meets.
Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said: "When Keir Starmer said he ‘wanted a new relationship with the countryside’ we all assumed he meant a better one... Its warped priorities have put taxing family farms, raising rates for rural businesses and banning trail hunting above policies that would benefit rural people." He added that the government has "a very long way to go to rebuild trust."
Polling Reveals Stark Urban-Rural Perception Gap
The ORB poll, conducted online between December 12 and 14 with 2,083 British adults, paints a damning picture of rural sentiment. It found that only 36 per cent of Britons agreed the Labour government cares about people living in the countryside. A striking 76 per cent believed the government prioritises urban issues over rural ones.
In response, a spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) defended the government's record. She pointed to its response to the Batters Review of the farming sector and reiterated the commitment to the trail hunting ban, citing strong public support.
The spokeswoman stated: "This government is committed to banning trail hunting, which is too often used as a cover for illegal fox hunting... We have increased the individual inheritance tax threshold from £1 million to £2.5 million, meaning couples with estates of up to £5 million will pay no inheritance tax."
The standoff sets the stage for a continued and difficult dialogue between the Westminster government and rural communities as it moves forward with its legislative agenda in the new year.
