Talking rural challenges with the Country Land and Business Association
I was pleased to be invited to meet with the Country Land and Business Association earlier this week at the beautiful Lukesland Gardens estate on the edge of Dartmoor. It was good to see Ann and John from Harford Parish Council there, alongside Sarah and Ann, for a constructive and wide-ranging discussion about the future of our rural communities.
We spoke openly about the impact of devolution on rural areas and their concerns about what local government reorganisation will mean for them, the pressures on farm profitability, business rates, the impact of Labour’s Family Farms Tax, connectivity challenges and the rise in rural crime. These are not abstract policy debates - they directly affect livelihoods and the long-term sustainability of family farms and countryside businesses.
I will continue to support policies that help British farming, back rural businesses, improve broadband and infrastructure, and keep our communities safe. A big thank you to the Country Land and Business Association for inviting me and for sharing your experiences.
