Rural voters overwhelmingly doubt Labour's commitment to the countryside, poll shows

A recent poll commissioned by the Countryside Alliance shows only 15% of rural dwellers believe the Labour Party cares for people who live and work in the countryside, while 43% claim the government is waging war on rural areas. The same research indicates that 28% of respondents would be more likely to support Labour if the party reset its relationship with the countryside. The results were unveiled on the day the alliance launched its new Campaign for the Countryside in Westminster, with speeches from Lord Blunkett and former Tory prime minister Lord Cameron.

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said the data highlights the need for the government to reverse past mistakes and re-engage with rural communities. He called for a "reset" that would drop the proposed ban on trail hunting and address the fallout from Sir Keir Starmer's family farm inheritance tax proposal, which sparked protests and a policy reversal. Lord Blunkett echoed the call, urging the incoming prime minister to reconsider hunting bans and other policies that alienate rural voters.