Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Sir keir starmer Used to be caution he faces a considerable work in reconstruction Trust with rural communities, e.g. boxing Day Victims are gathering under the shadow of imminent government action.
Labor The administration’s intention to ban trail hunting, announced just days before these traditional events, has heightened existing tensions. The decision, coupled with continued anger over inheritance tax changes despite a partial U-turn, has deepened discontent among farming communities.
The Countryside Alliance pressure group argues that the government has “alienated rural people”. A poll shows that 65 percent of voters believe the Labor administration unfairly neglects the country’s communities.
The proposed ban on trail hunting – where hunting dogs follow a set scent – is part of the Government’s new animal welfare strategy, launched ahead of Christmas. The measure addresses concerns that the practice is being used as a smokescreen for fox hunting.
The Countryside Alliance defended the practice, which was introduced to comply with the Hunting Act 2004’s ban on chasing foxes, and the Boxing Day trail hunt is expected to draw thousands of people.
The group claimed that hunting contributes more than £100 million a year to the rural economy.
The government will launch a consultation about banning trail hunting as early as 2026.
Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: “When Keir Starmer said he wanted ‘a new relationship with the countryside’ we all assumed he meant well, but in 18 months his government has alienated rural people and given the clear impression that it doesn’t care about the countryside.
“Its distorted priorities have put taxing family farms, raising rates for rural businesses, and banning trail hunting above policies that will benefit rural people.
“Although the partial change to the family farming tax is a step in the right direction, the government must learn the core lesson of this policy debacle, which is that it needs to work with rural communities – not legislate against it.
“The government still has a long way to go to restore confidence.”
A poll by ORB International shows that only 36 percent of Britons agreed or strongly agreed that the Labor government cared about people living in rural areas, while 76 percent said they believed the government prioritized urban issues over rural issues.
ORB conducted an online survey of 2,083 British adults between 12 and 14 December.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) defended its policies by pointing to its response to the farming sector review conducted by Baroness Minette Batters, former National Farmers Union president.
A Defra spokesperson said: “This Government is committed to banning trail hunting, which is often used as cover for illegal fox hunting, and it has strong public support across the country.
“This builds on previous animal welfare reforms undertaken by this government, including giving more powers to police to prevent dog attacks on livestock, protecting farmers and animals.
“The Batters Review highlighted the need for greater collaboration between industry, farmers and government – and that’s what we will do.
“We have increased the individual inheritance tax threshold from £1 million to £2.5 million, meaning couples with estates up to £5 million will have to pay no inheritance tax.”