The Countryside Alliance has criticised the outgoing Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer for failing to renew the 鈥榖ond of respect' between the countryside and politicians.听
It said his Government would be remembered for its 鈥榓stonishing attack on the countryside'.
Read now:听Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer resigns
The comments came as Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation as PM earlier today, after his leadership came under fire by the Labour Party.听
Countryside Alliance
Reacting to the PM stepping down, the Countryside Alliance said: "After 14 years of his party being politically irrelevant in the countryside, Keir Starmer pledged to renew 'the bond of respect' between the countryside and politicians. Many rural voters gave him the benefit of the doubt and the result was a record number of Labour MPs representing rural constituencies, some for the first time in history.
"But sadly, shortly after taking office, Sir Keir's government launched an astonishing attack on the countryside with the implementation of the family farm tax. The policy has caused untold pain and anxiety for farmers. It was, plainly, bad politics.
"We have seen taxes on rural businesses and toxic culture war policies including a ban on trail hunting and a clamp down on game shooting, all of which will further harm an already fragile rural economy."
The Countryside Alliance said it stood ready to work with the next government to achieve the 'very best for the countryside', but said 鈥榗hange' does not start with a 鈥榗ulture war in the countryside and a return to the mistakes of the past'.
Countryside Land and Business Association (CLA)
CLA president Gavin Lane said a change in the Prime Minister must mark the 'beginning of a rural reset'.听
"That reset cannot happen without reversing the inheritance tax changes hanging over farms and family businesses. Only a full reversal will unlock the confidence and investment needed to realise the full potential of the rural economy."
Mr Lane said the government's relationship has been 'strained over the last two years'.听
"However, Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds and Labour MPs representing rural communities have engaged constructively with our concerns, and we urge the next Prime Minister to build on that engagement and deliver the change rural Britain needs," Mr Lane added.听
Tenant 草榴社区 Association (TFA)
Robert Martin, national chair at TFA criticised the ever changing nature of No.10.听
He said: "While Westminster works in news cycles, farming works in generations and that gap is costing the agricultural industry dear. Every change of administration resets the clock and our industry simply cannot afford that.
听"In the two years since his appointment, Keir Starmer's administration promised the industry a 25-year farming roadmap. Frustratingly, we still wait. In the meantime, domestic food security is being quietly eroded while productive farmland disappears to development and renewable energy schemes."
He said despite sustained lobbying APR reform, the single change most likely to 'transform' the tenanted sector, has not happened.
"Landlords will not offer longer tenancies without the right fiscal framework. The tenanted sector farms nearly a third of agricultural land in England and Wales. It cannot be an afterthought.听
"Under Keir Starmer's leadership, the opportunity was there. The parliamentary majority was there. The change was not."
Scottish Conservatives
Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, Harriet Cross also heavily criticised Sir Keir Starmer's tenure as PM, describing him as someone who 鈥榝ailed businesses and key industries at every opportunity' including farming.
She called for the next government to stop 鈥榙isregarding' farmers and fisherman, adding if it did not, it would face the same fate as Sir Keir.
She said: "He came into power without a plan, resulting in everything from households, hospitality and our high streets to farming, fishing and our oil and gas sector paying the price.
"Keir Starmer will be remembered as a Prime Minister who sought to destroy the North East of Scotland in any way possible.
"From blocking all new oil and gas licences, extending and increasing the Energy Profits Levy, introducing the family farm tax, selling out our fishermen and hiking national insurance, he inflicted unprecedented harm on just about all aspects of life and work across our region."
Ms Cross warned that the next PM must 'put an end' to the government's 'neglect' of key industries.听
Read now:听Baroness Minette Batters calls for 'radical reset' in Defra
But Defra Secretary, Emma Reynolds praised PM for the impact he has since coming into office.听
"When I lost my seat in 2019, I did not believe Labour could win power and be in Government by 2024. Keir rebuilt the Labour Party from the ground up. He won the trust of the public, secured a landslide victory, changed the country for the better and leaves a lasting legacy."听
