PM ruining respect for countryside, say voters

LABOUR'S relationship with the countryside is under threat, a survey has found.

- Steph Spyro

More than half of people believe the Prime Minister is performing poorly on his commitment to "restore the bond of respect" between his party and the countryside.

It rises from 54% to two-thirds (66%) of those in rural villages and more than three-quarters (76%) living in hamlets or isolated houses.

The poll for the Countryside Alliance by ORB was done ahead of today's Boxing Day hunts after Labour's electoral commitment to ban trail hunting.

Priorities

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: "The countryside was willing to give Labour a shot at the election, but that relationship is already under threat.

"If Keir Starmer is really interested in the language of priorities then trail hunting should be the last issue on the Government's agenda.