Labour has never had an easy relationship with the countryside. Some socialists have regarded rural Britain as a haven for reactionaries, reflecting Karl Marx’s jibe about “the idiocy of rural life”.
The reality is more complex and Labour has often intervened effectively in rural areas, winning both council and parliamentary seats by long-term campaigning. Even so, it was only in 1945 and then in 1997 that we really captured the hearts and minds of rural Britain. Sadly, much of that support has since withered away.
So is rural Britain worth bothering about? It has to be, if Labour is to present itself as a party which really does “speak for Britain”. Winning back rural Britain is essential if we are to win a working majority at the next general election. It’s encouraging that Mary Creagh, as Labour’s frontbench spokesperson, has made such an impressive start, particularly over the sale of woodlands.
Rural Britain is a highly diverse place and can’t be reduced to stereotypes. Government policy has long recognised a distinction between “deep rural” and the increasingly typical “semi-rural” areas, often on the fringes of large conurbations. The South Pennines, where I live, has long had a mix of hill farming, textiles and coal mining. Some of the farming has survived, but little of the textiles and none of the mining remain. Instead, there has been a growth in small businesses, with young entrepreneurs choosing to live here because of the quality of life. More and more people commute into the cities, either by car or by train. No, this isn’t “deep rural”, but it’s not urban either. And a lot of people living here are neither traditional rural Tories nor dyed in the wool Labour voters.
We need to get away from a one-dimensional approach to rural policy. The days of a sizeable – and stable – agricultural workforce employed by a local landowner have long gone. Agriculture is highly mechanised, employing migrant labour which is often transient. There are major issues around the future of agriculture and food that go way beyond employment issues. But it isn’t really a “rural” issue at all – it’s about what we eat and how it is produced. The issues in many rural communities relate to small business development, broadband access, tourism, transport and local services.
In many parts of rural Britain, tourism is a much bigger employer than agriculture. We can’t afford to dismiss this as “not real jobs”. If encouraged in the right way, tourism can sustain local businesses, protect rural services and provide the sort of meaningful employment that is infinitely more rewarding than working in a meat-processing factory. New businesses can provide services for both local people and visitors to their area. Pennine communities such as Todmorden have created mini-industries in areas such as local food – with the “Incredible Edible Todmorden” initiative, for example.
In my village, we now have an organic bakery run as a workers’ co-operative and The Green Valley Grocers, a successful community co-op. Both provide good jobs, offer high quality and affordable food and have become a draw for visitors, as well as a valuable service for local people. Cultural industries are thriving in many rural areas, bringing in visitors for festivals and galleries and creating jobs. There is enormous potential for eco-businesses, such as the Colne Valley-based Green Building Store.
What should Labour be doing to support these initiatives? The sharp decline in local authority funding and the abolition of the regional development agencies has had a major impact on new business growth in areas such as mine and it’s all going to get much worse. A light touch is needed to provide a culture of support which facilitates networking and start-up assistance. Many small businesses need backing in the early days when modest grant aid can make all the difference between take-off and merely having a good idea that never comes to fruition.
Underpinning that support should be investment in local infrastructure, particularly public transport but also in communications. Many rural areas don’t yet have broadband. While good rail and bus services benefit local people, they also bring in tourists, without the downside of the private car. Traffic congestion in many rural areas is now a problem and spoils the very tranquillity that people come to the countryside to experience. Railway stations serve town and village centres and encourage visitors to use local shops, pubs and cafes. Rail and bus travel can be part of the tourist experience, offering a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery. Coalition cuts are serious threat to rural bus services and there is no certainty about the long-term survival of the rural rail network.
We should be exploring the scope for combined bus and rail franchises in rural areas, with encouragement to not-for-profit operators.Labour needs to position itself as a supportive friend in rural communities, with the party playing an active role in business and community organisations, and getting involved in the work of parish and town councils. At national level, we need to develop policies designed to support small business development and socially inclusive, sustainable communities.
