As the political party season comes to a close, RSN Chief Executive, Kerry Booth, has been reflecting on the Leaders’ speeches to their parties.

Firstly, not one of the three leaders used the word ‘rural’ in their party conference speech.  Not one.  With 179 MPs in the three audiences who represent rural constituencies, that is appalling. Towns, cities and green belt… but not rural.

Keir Starmer: It’s a future with more beautiful cities. More prosperous towns. New parks, new green spaces, new public services – all aligned with our plan. 

Rishi Sunak: What we really need, though, is better transport connections in the North.  A new Network North that will join up our great towns and cities in the North and the Midlands.

Yet change was at the heart of all three speeches: Ed Davey used the word 18 times, Keir Starmer said it 17 times and Rishi Sunak, an incredible 30 times.  So, what will change for rural areas under each of these leaders?  If I’m honest, I am not entirely sure.  The details sitting behind each of these speeches is still underwraps, waiting for someone to press the button which will bring about the next General Election. However, what has been clear is that all parties are courting the rural vote in their own way.

During the Labour Conference, Shadow DEFRA Minister Steve Reed MP took to Twitter to set out what his party will do for rural areas:

He went on to tweet:

Meanwhile, the government published its plans for rural communities in a Press Release during its conference:

The release detailed plans to connect more homes and businesses in “the most remote and rural parts of the UK”.  It also highlighted two new consultations on the topic both of which, RSN is seeking Member comment on.

Overall, I don’t believe we are any clearer on which party will do the most to support rural areas or, indeed, if they will address the issues which directly effect rural communities.  However, all acknowledged that our political system needs to change:

Rishi Sunak: What I have learnt is that there is an undeniable sense that politics just doesn’t work the way it should.  The feeling that Westminster is a broken system—and the same goes for Holyrood, Cardiff Bay, and Stormont.  It isn’t anger, it is an exhaustion with politics.  In particular, politicians saying things, and then nothing ever changing. And you know what: people are right. Politics doesn’t work the way it should.

Ed Davey: Transforming our politics for good.

Keir Starmer: Our politics feels broken

Given the political will and the need to win the rural vote, we will be working with all political parties to ensure that any fixes they make, ensure that rural areas get a fair deal.