Labour debates the countryside

The Countryside Alliance’s party conference programme continued in Liverpool on Sunday 22 September, bringing discussion of The Future of the Countryside in a New Parliament to the Labour Party. 

 This year’s panel featured Lee Pitcher MP, newly elected for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme; Geraldine Scott, senior political correspondent for The Times; and Simon Lewis OBE, a senior communications consultant who served as official spokesperson for former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Sarah Lee, Director of Policy for the Countryside Alliance, was in the chair.  

 The event focused on challenges and opportunities facing rural communities, with discussions covering rural crime, food production, housing, education, and potential economic growth in the countryside. Sarah Lee emphasised the rural issues that the Alliance had highlighted in the lead-up to the general election, touching especially on rural crime, food production, and connectivity. She explained that while rural crime rates may be lower than in urban areas, its impact is more significant due to the isolation many rural residents experience. She also stressed local food production, sustainable farming and wildlife management as essential to ensure biodiversity and a thriving countryside. 

 Lee Pitcher MP shared his rural upbringing and his experience in water management. He highlighted the need to encourage young people to pursue careers in farming and land management, noting the potential for sustainable farming and flood prevention as growth areas. He also called for better transport and digital connectivity in rural areas to combat isolation and boost economic prospects. 

 Mr Pitcher joined the other panellists in supporting greater devolution to enable local communities to manage their own transport, education and housing, including to parish and community councils. He also noted that community involvement in planning decisions, especially regarding transport and housing, could help ensure rural areas are better connected and equipped with necessary services. 

 Geraldine Scott, Senior Political Correspondent for The Times, set out the challenge that the new government can only achieve growth if there is rural growth, highlighting the tension between national housing demands and local concerns over development on floodplains and green belt land. She raised concerns about how devolution might manage conflicts between local authorities and national government housing targets, particularly Labour’s plan to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years. Sarah Lee added that community voices must be central in planning decisions to avoid conflicts between national policies and local needs. 

Simon Lewis focused on improving social mobility in rural communities. He presented data showing that rural students are less likely to attend university compared to their urban counterparts: only 19 percent of rural students apply, compared to 39 percent in urban areas. Further, fewer than one in five have access to structured work experience, limiting their career opportunities. For that reason, he advocated for making work experience a universal right for all students, given its crucial role in career preparation. He suggested developing more pathways for rural students, particularly in high-tech fields. 

Other topics raised by delegates included school choice, planning regulations, countryside access and local food procurement. Responding to questioning on how farmers could best be supported to reduce their carbon footprint without disadvantaging small farmers, panellists raised government incentives and practical support as essential to help farmers adopt sustainable practices. Reducing fertiliser use and shifting to regenerative farming techniques can reduce the environmental impact of farming while continuing to prioritise food production and supply. Mr Pitcher agreed that politicians must listen to rural voices, including the Countryside Alliance, in formulating policy. 

 Our party conference programme will conclude in Birmingham with the Conservative Party, with our event due to take place on Tuesday, 01 October.