Andy Burnham accused of ‘waging war’ on Britain’s countryside as Labour faces rural revolt

Andy Burnham has been accused of “waging war” on Britain’s countryside, with many rural Britons declaring that Labour does not care about them.

The striking findings from a survey commissioned by the Countryside Alliance showed a total collapse in support for the Government among rural communities.

A tiny minority, just 15 per cent, of those living in the countryside felt Labour cared about their issues.

In another striking discovery, 43 per cent of rural residents also said they felt the Government had “waged war on the countryside” in the ORB International poll of 2,081 adults.

Just 22 per cent of all voters agreed that the Government cares about countryside communities, compared with 38 per cent who disagreed.

More than half of voters, 55 per cent, also agreed that the Government favours cities over the countryside, while just 11 per cent disagreed.

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said the findings showed the Government must reconsider its approach to rural Britain.

“These findings are powerful because they show not only how crucial it is for the government to undo the mistakes of the past, but also the opportunity which a rural reset could bring,” he said.

Mr Bonner warned the poll was “a warning of the dangers of the Government focusing on issues that don’t actually matter to the public”.

He added that it should be an encouragement for ministers to “drop or change damaging policies and re-engage with rural communities”.

However, the figures suggest Labour could win back rural support if it changes course.

Some 28 per cent of rural residents said they would be more likely to vote Labour if the party reset its relationship with countryside communities.

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That figure rises to 24 per cent among voters nationally, with the effect particularly strong among voters in Wales and Scotland.

Explaining the collapse in trust from rural communities towards Labour, the Countryside Alliance has published a list of 27 punishing policies the Government has enacted since 2024.

It includes Labour’s Family Farm Tax, higher National Insurance contributions, changes affecting rural businesses, and planning reforms as sources of misery.

Other policies cited include increased pressure on agricultural land from renewable energy projects, changes to double-cab pickup taxation and the abolition of the £110 million Rural Services Delivery Grant.

The Alliance says the cumulative impact has left rural communities under intolerable pressure.

These latest findings come as the Countryside Alliance prepares to launch its Campaign for the Countryside in Westminster on Monday.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron, former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett and former NFU president Minette Batters are among those due to speak.