The new rural manifesto (From Worcester News)

The new rural manifesto

9:06am Monday 8th June 2009 in

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WITH all the shenanigans going on at Westminster these days the date of the next general election is likely to be tossed around like a lottery ball in a plastic box. For some it can’t come soon enough; for others, the longer they can put it off the greater chance the current furore may subside.

Either way, an election is coming as sure as night follows day and for the British countryside it could be a pivotal moment. There are many things that need sorting out and whether the public decides to give a new lot a chance or opts to let the current incumbents learn from their mistakes only time will tell. But something needs to happen. To that end, the Countryside Alliance has produced a Rural Manifesto, which it intends to put before all three main political parties in the run-up to the next election.

Now I know the CA is not everyone’s cup of tea and there are those who would say that in the past it should have done this or that and because it hasn’t it falls short. But country people are notoriously individualistic and what pleases one won’t please another, so there is a touch of the no win scenario here. However, the fact remains that the CA is the only concerted voice for the countryside.

Without it the job of representing rural hopes and aspirations would be fragmented at best and totally ignored as the rantings of a minority at worst. So “let’s work together”, as Canned Heat sang 40 years ago this summer. Was it that long? Sure was.

The Rural Manifesto covers five topics: housing, education, farming, the repeal of the Hunting Act and services.

“This is not a random choice, nor are these five necessarily the most important issues for everyone in the countryside,”

explained Clare Rowson, the CA’s midland regional director.

“What they do represent is a five-piece jigsaw with each piece connecting with the others. Some have huge practical implications, while others make important political statements. Some issues are devolved to local councils, whereas others remain the domain of central government, but the future of the countryside has an importance that bridges political boundaries.

“Our countryside is a national treasure admired around the world and it is also a home and workplace. Those who live and work there can be forgiven for feeling at times that it does not receive the political support it deserves. Divisive politics, media misrepresentation and a lack of understanding can create a gap between rural and urban areas.

Yet there should be no conflict over ‘town or country’. The challenge is doing the best for both town and country.”

Across the UK certain individuals and families have agreed to put their heads above the parapet and act as the face of the manifesto. Around here it is the Hammond family, who live near the Worcestershire-Shropshire border. The Hammonds comprise father John, mother Sally and daughters Polly, aged 22, and Georgie, 19, both of whom work for the family catering firm.

“In my view, farming in Britain is about feeding the nation good healthy food, rearing animals, maintaining a landscape responsibly and above all keeping communities together,” said John Hammond. “Farmers are not subsidised park keepers, but open air businessmen, embracing traditional production with modern technology. Policies, at both a UK and an EU level, should acknowledge the many overlapping functions of farming and not promote one element at the expense of another. Any policies should as far as is possible be future-proofed so that farmers have the stability they need to make long-term decisions and investments. That would give everyone in the industry confidence, which is seriously lacking at present.”

Daughter Polly chipped in for the younger generation.

“Children and young people seem to have become disconnected from the countryside,” she said. “All children should have a better understanding of the natural richness of the countryside and what it is like to live and work there.

Outdoor education improves young people’s confidence, social skills and understanding of the environment and it must become a core subject in the national curriculum.”

Georgie wants the current Hunting Act sorted out. “I believe we should have workable legislation that can be understood by the police, the courts and those it affects. Prohibiting any activity only works when there is overwhelming evidence that it is causing a demonstrable harm,” she argued. “The Hunting Act should be repealed.”

The rural manifesto attaches considerable significance to affordable rural housing, on the basis that community is central to rural life. “The chance for local people to live locally, to fill schools, support local services and keep families together is vital, “ said Sally Hammond. “The countryside has always evolved and rural people understand the social and technical requirements of the 21st century. This generation knows how to change, but it wants the opportunity to do so in the countryside it grew up in.”

The CA maintains there is no single solution to the problem of affordable housing. However, it believes that by simplifying the development process, giving powers to local communities and providing the right fiscal incentives the Government can empower local communities to meet their own housing needs.

Finally, the Hammonds believe that rural services are the glue which holds communities together. “But for years rural public services have been in much faster decline than equivalent services in urban areas, “ said father John.

“The problem of access to services in the countryside is inseparable from public transport problems. Without adequate public transport rural communities are more dependent on car ownership to access basic services such as healthcare, education and banking. For geographic and social reasons the need for viable public transport in rural areas is far more acute than in urban areas.”

Politicians, old and new, it’s over to you.