MP: We must re-earn the trust that only Tories truly understand and care for our countryside

VOTERS will punish Rishi Sunak at the next general election if the Tories do not deliver for rural Britain, the Prime Minister has been warned.

- Ciaran McGrath, Sam Stevenson

People living in the countryside have been "ignored for too long" and all political parties must place rural issues at the heart of the upcoming election, campaigners and MPs claim.

The Budget did not go far enough to produce a credible offer for the rural community, they claim.

Their plea comes as opinion pollsters say Tory support in the countryside is collapsing.

Greg Smith, Conservative MP for Buckingham, told the Daily Express: "It is vital we have a big offer for all rural people, from supporting farmers to ensuring communications infrastructure like mobile and broadband works and healthcare provision is easily accessible.

"Rural Britain is the heart of Britain and we must re-earn the trust that only Conservatives truly understand and care for our countryside."

The Government said it is committed to supporting profitable farming businesses, improving food security and protecting agriculture.

At the NFU conference in Birmingham, the PM and the Environment Secretary announced measures to boost productivity and resilience, including a record-high grant offer for farmers, expected to total £427million.

But NFU president Tom Bradshaw has warned Chancellor Jeremy Hunt failed to deliver for farmers in the Budget this week.

He said: "Where some of the head-line announcements, such as an extension to agricultural property relief and a reduction of national insurance for the self-employed, could offer some benefits to agricultural businesses, the Chancellor has missed an opportunity to deliver resilience for food producers."

The Liberal Democrats are hoping to win traditionally true-blue seats and repeat their success at the Somerton and Frome and North Shropshire by-elections.

A recent poll showed Labour will beat the Tories in many of the most 100 rural constituencies in England.