Only 15 per cent of people living in rural areas believe Labour cares about the countryside, polling for the Countryside Alliance has found.
The survey by ORB International also found that 43 per cent felt the Government had “waged war on the countryside”, while 28 per cent said they would be more likely to vote Labour if the party reset its relationship with rural communities.
The findings will be presented as the Countryside Alliance launches its new Campaign for the Countryside in Westminster. Former Labour home secretary Lord Blunkett and former Conservative prime minister Lord Cameron are due to speak at the event.
The alliance is calling on Andy Burnham to rebuild the Government’s relationship with rural areas, following protests over Sir Keir Starmer’s proposed family farm tax, which resulted in a U-turn.
Tim Bonner, the organisation’s chief executive, said the poll showed both the need to reverse previous decisions and the potential benefits of reconnecting with rural communities.
“The poll is a warning of the dangers for the Government on focusing on issues that don’t actually matter to the public, as well as clear encouragement to drop or change damaging policies and re-engage with rural communities,” he said.
Lord Blunkett, whom Mr Burnham has described as his “truest mentor”, urged the new Prime Minister to abandon plans inherited from his predecessor to ban trail hunting.
Trail hunting involves a pack of hounds following an artificial scent rather than a live fox. Lord Blunkett said a reset was “so necessary”, including a decision to “set aside” the proposed ban.
“I know that all the opinion polls show those living in the countryside demonstrate much greater dissatisfaction with policies of successive governments and the services they receive,” he said.
He added that although it was not possible to reverse the decisions made on family-owned farms and inheritance tax, the Government could learn from their consequences for people involved in food production and rural life.
A Government spokesman said ministers were committed to delivering growth “in every postcode” and rebuilding trust with farmers.
“This is backed with real action, including helping farmers through this exceptionally dry summer, as well as investing billions in sustainable farming and food production,” the spokesman said.
“This is the start of a new conversation with farmers and rural communities as we work together to build a stronger future for British farming and unlock growth in rural areas.”
