Countryside Alliance statement on Sir Keir Starmer & his shadow cabinet appointments

The Countryside Alliance congratulates Sir Keir Starmer MP on becoming the Leader of the Labour Party and of Her Majesty's Official Opposition. We look forward to working with him and wish him well in his role.

We would also like to congratulate Luke Pollard MP on his reappointment as Shadow Defra Secretary. The Alliance hopes to work with Labour in developing their approach to environmental and rural issues. Labour has become seen as increasingly disconnected from rural voters and it is important they re-engage with the rural electorate. It is essential that policies are for the countryside, not imposed on the countryside. Policy focus must be on access to healthcare, better transport, adequate police funding, digital connectivity and more affordable housing and not dominated by animal rights, as opposed to real animal welfare, agenda.

We want to work with Labour so Labour has policies that speak to the rural electorate. The Fabian Society have made clear policy proposals that we support and which we believe should be the basis for a new Labour vision for the countryside. It is time Labour re-set its relationship with the countryside and we hope the election of a new leader provides this opportunity.

Please see what The Fabian Society had to say in our joint report 'Labour Country', here.