OPINION

       Keir Starmer has opened up a chasm in UK life (Image: PA)

       In an age of rapid technological change and globalisation, it’s easy to feel some of the values that have long defined us are slipping away. But the countryside remains a vital part of our national identity - a place where history, tradition, and community converge. For Conservatives, the countryside is more than land; it embodies the enduring principles that define Britain: self-reliance, responsibility, and deep-rooted respect for our heritage.

       The countryside has long been Britain’s beating heart. For generations, families have worked the land - from ox-drawn ploughs to today’s high-tech farming that feeds the nation. It represents continuity in a world of upheaval. For Conservatives, these traditions reflect the best of us: hard work, a respect for nature, and a community spirit that binds us together.

       Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

       The Worst States To Travel in America, RankedBigGlobalTravel | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Labour threatens UK households with 'bathtime tax' in 'war on family homes'

       148 Comments

       Labour risks 'bulldozing' Britain's ancient woods and trees in housing blitz

       48 Comments

       British army veteran forced to pay ￡20k NHS bill for rest of his life after heart attack

       6 Comments

       A dreadful reckoning awaits as Rachel Reeves to impose more tax rises on middle classes

       18 Comments

       Labour minister squirms in painful BBC Breakfast clash: 'How are you paying for it?!'

       107 Comments

       State pensioner winter fuel payment could be scrapped entirely says IFS

       22 Comments

       Donald Trump's White House admits it could SLASH tariffs below 10% for certain countries

       50 Comments

       Disastrous project devastating taxpayer must be binned by Labour immediately

       Comments

       Rachel Reeves dealt major blow as farm tax set to cost Treasury nearly ￡2bn

       14 Comments

       Kremlin isn't cowed by PowerPoint - three actions that would actually boost defence

       28 Comments

       Winter Fuel Payments update as Angela Rayner drops hint to pensioners

       2 Comments

       Rachel Reeves threatens rare nature across the world if she makes one key decision

       16 Comments

       Africa's 'best city' in 2025 is a jaw-dropping mega-metropolis with 23m people

       5 Comments

       Rachel Reeves has pushed UK to the brink - what happens next will even horrify her

       285 Comments

       Remember Jelly Roll? Better To Sit Down Before You See Him Now.Cash Roadster | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Keir Starmer has declared war on farmers - and this is only just the start

       75 Comments

       Labour hypocrisy exposed over 'act of mindless vandalism' against farmers

       29 Comments

       Shaq’s former Ohio mansion with 400-gallon fish tank gets offerHomes.com | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Labour must now U-turn on farmer inheritance tax raid after winter fuel reverse

       61 Comments

       Rachel Reeves sent new ￡15bn warning over brutal inheritance tax raid

       251 Comments

       Rules You Didn't Know 'Survivor' Contestants Have to FollowCosmopolitan | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves told 'catastrophic' tax change must be scrapped as new fears erupt

       7 Comments

       Rachel Reeves delivers another hammer blow to farmers months after inheritance tax row

       9 Comments

       Dating for Senior SinglesMeetheage | Sponsored Sponsored

       Read More

       Undo

       Labour threatens UK households with 'bathtime tax' in 'war on family homes'

       148 Comments

       Labour risks 'bulldozing' Britain's ancient woods and trees in housing blitz

       48 Comments

       God’s people need youIFCJ | The Fellowship | Sponsored Sponsored

       Donate Now

       Undo

       British army veteran forced to pay ￡20k NHS bill for rest of his life after heart attack

       6 Comments

       A dreadful reckoning awaits as Rachel Reeves to impose more tax rises on middle classes

       18 Comments

       Donatella Versace, 69, Goes Without Makeup, Surprises EveryoneYour Health Agent | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Labour minister squirms in painful BBC Breakfast clash: 'How are you paying for it?!'

       107 Comments

       State pensioner winter fuel payment could be scrapped entirely says IFS

       22 Comments

       Why Gardeners Love This Frog OrnamentSherum | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Donald Trump's White House admits it could SLASH tariffs below 10% for certain countries

       50 Comments

       Disastrous project devastating taxpayer must be binned by Labour immediately

       Comments

       Stop Search Trackers NowStartpage | Sponsored Sponsored

       Install Now

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves dealt major blow as farm tax set to cost Treasury nearly ￡2bn

       14 Comments

       Kremlin isn't cowed by PowerPoint - three actions that would actually boost defence

       28 Comments

       Show Your Patriotism: American Flag Bald Eagle GarlandGraddi | Sponsored Sponsored

       Read More

       Undo

       Winter Fuel Payments update as Angela Rayner drops hint to pensioners

       2 Comments

       Rachel Reeves threatens rare nature across the world if she makes one key decision

       16 Comments

       Guy Fieri Has A Famous Wife Not Many People Know AboutRefinance Gold | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Africa's 'best city' in 2025 is a jaw-dropping mega-metropolis with 23m people

       5 Comments

       Rachel Reeves has pushed UK to the brink - what happens next will even horrify her

       285 Comments

       Keir Starmer has declared war on farmers - and this is only just the start

       75 Comments

       Labour hypocrisy exposed over 'act of mindless vandalism' against farmers

       29 Comments

       Labour must now U-turn on farmer inheritance tax raid after winter fuel reverse

       61 Comments

       Rachel Reeves sent new ￡15bn warning over brutal inheritance tax raid

       251 Comments

       Rachel Reeves told 'catastrophic' tax change must be scrapped as new fears erupt

       7 Comments

       Rachel Reeves delivers another hammer blow to farmers months after inheritance tax row

       9 Comments

       Labour threatens UK households with 'bathtime tax' in 'war on family homes'

       148 Comments

       Labour risks 'bulldozing' Britain's ancient woods and trees in housing blitz

       48 Comments

       British army veteran forced to pay ￡20k NHS bill for rest of his life after heart attack

       6 Comments

       A dreadful reckoning awaits as Rachel Reeves to impose more tax rises on middle classes

       18 Comments

       Labour minister squirms in painful BBC Breakfast clash: 'How are you paying for it?!'

       107 Comments

       State pensioner winter fuel payment could be scrapped entirely says IFS

       22 Comments

       Donald Trump's White House admits it could SLASH tariffs below 10% for certain countries

       50 Comments

       Don't miss... 'Keir Starmer's dangerous deal shows determination to deconstruct Britain' [LATEST]

       Conservatism isn’t about clinging to the past for nostalgia’s sake. As Gustav Mahler said: ‘tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire’. The countryside, with its time-honoured customs, shows how we can modernise while preserving what matters.

       In rural Britain, values like community and responsibility are not just spoken about - they’re lived. Neighbours look out for each other, families work together, and there’s a bond with the land that goes beyond self-interest. In today’s increasingly disconnected world, this shared sense of purpose is more important than ever.

       Powered By

       00:00/00:54

       10 Sec

       144.1K

       12

       Sky News: Reform chairman says Starmer is 'panicking'

       Next

       Stay

       Rural traditions, from the harvest to the hunt, are more than customs. They’re the threads of a cultural fabric that has stood firm through generations. In a globalised age, they offer much-needed stability and continuity.

       Sponsored

       La Compagnie | Sponsored Sponsored

       Book Now

       Fly New York to Paris in Luxury with La Compagnie

       Undo

       The countryside is not without its challenges. Farming communities face pressure from automation, climate demands, and global markets. Young people leave rural areas seeking opportunities, taking with them generations of know-how. This is not just a cultural loss, but a practical one. Skills essential to managing land, preserving wildlife, and sustaining British agriculture are at risk.

       These challenges have worsened under the Labour Party. Sir Keir Starmer’s Government has shown little understanding of rural Britain. Their policies overlook the importance of farming and disregard the unique needs of these communities. This failure puts at risk not just a way of life, but a vital part of our national fabric.

       The recent suicide of Yorkshire farmer John Charlesworth, reportedly driven by fears over inheritance tax changes, is a tragic reminder of how deeply government policy can impact the lives and legacies of rural families.

       Conservatives must be the voice for farmers and rural areas - defending their rights, boosting sustainable agriculture, and investing in infrastructure. The countryside is not some quaint relic; it is the living, breathing core of our national identity.

       Trending

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       The role of the countryside in national security is often ignored - but it’s essential. The land itself, nurtured over centuries, is a strategic asset that strengthens our resilience.

       In war and crisis, it’s the countryside that has always delivered - food, resources, sanctuary. If we’re serious about defending Britain’s future, we must defend rural communities - not just for their cultural value, but because they are integral to our national security.

       The Conservative Party has always stood for tradition, community, and self-reliance. To stay relevant to rural Britain, we must protect its heritage while helping it adapt. That means supporting farmers through green innovation, backing rural businesses, and ensuring young people have reasons to stay or return.

       We also need serious investment in rural infrastructure - faster broadband, better transport, and affordable homes - so rural communities aren’t left behind in the race to urbanise. Access to vital services like healthcare and education must not be a postcode lottery.

       The countryside isn’t a weekend retreat for the privileged. It shapes the very values that make Britain great. Its traditions - hard work, community, stewardship of the land - remain as relevant today as ever. As Conservatives, we have a duty to protect these traditions and pass them on.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Labour threatens UK households with 'bathtime tax' in 'war on family homes'

       148 Comments

       Labour risks 'bulldozing' Britain's ancient woods and trees in housing blitz

       48 Comments

       British army veteran forced to pay ￡20k NHS bill for rest of his life after heart attack

       6 Comments

       A dreadful reckoning awaits as Rachel Reeves to impose more tax rises on middle classes

       18 Comments

       Labour minister squirms in painful BBC Breakfast clash: 'How are you paying for it?!'

       107 Comments

       State pensioner winter fuel payment could be scrapped entirely says IFS

       22 Comments

       Donald Trump's White House admits it could SLASH tariffs below 10% for certain countries

       50 Comments

       Disastrous project devastating taxpayer must be binned by Labour immediately

       Comments

       Rachel Reeves dealt major blow as farm tax set to cost Treasury nearly ￡2bn

       14 Comments

       Kremlin isn't cowed by PowerPoint - three actions that would actually boost defence

       28 Comments

       Winter Fuel Payments update as Angela Rayner drops hint to pensioners

       2 Comments

       Rachel Reeves threatens rare nature across the world if she makes one key decision

       16 Comments

       Africa's 'best city' in 2025 is a jaw-dropping mega-metropolis with 23m people

       5 Comments

       Rachel Reeves has pushed UK to the brink - what happens next will even horrify her

       285 Comments

       Scarlett Johansson, 40, Bigger Than Husband Size In A New PhotosGamesWaka | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Keir Starmer has declared war on farmers - and this is only just the start

       75 Comments

       Labour hypocrisy exposed over 'act of mindless vandalism' against farmers

       29 Comments

       What’s Lurking Under Your Toenail? Take A Closer LookLunavia | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Labour must now U-turn on farmer inheritance tax raid after winter fuel reverse

       61 Comments

       Rachel Reeves sent new ￡15bn warning over brutal inheritance tax raid

       251 Comments

       Dog Gives Birth To Puppies, When The Vet Sees Them He Says “Those Aren’t Puppies!”Ohi Blog | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves told 'catastrophic' tax change must be scrapped as new fears erupt

       7 Comments

       Rachel Reeves delivers another hammer blow to farmers months after inheritance tax row

       9 Comments

       Billie Eilish’s Height and Weight: All the DetailsFinance Nemo | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Labour threatens UK households with 'bathtime tax' in 'war on family homes'

       148 Comments

       Labour risks 'bulldozing' Britain's ancient woods and trees in housing blitz

       48 Comments

       10 Best Mattresses by Consumer Reports (Here's What You May Not Want to Miss)QuestionHero | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       British army veteran forced to pay ￡20k NHS bill for rest of his life after heart attack

       6 Comments

       A dreadful reckoning awaits as Rachel Reeves to impose more tax rises on middle classes

       18 Comments

       Clint Eastwood Lives Here Now – And It’s Jaw-Dropping.The Mom Pack | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Labour minister squirms in painful BBC Breakfast clash: 'How are you paying for it?!'

       107 Comments

       State pensioner winter fuel payment could be scrapped entirely says IFS

       22 Comments

       Scarlett Johansson, 40, Shows Off Her Real Size In A New Vacation Photos33 Bridges | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Donald Trump's White House admits it could SLASH tariffs below 10% for certain countries

       50 Comments

       Disastrous project devastating taxpayer must be binned by Labour immediately

       Comments

       Shop Limited Edition DrinkwareYETI | Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves dealt major blow as farm tax set to cost Treasury nearly ￡2bn

       14 Comments

       Kremlin isn't cowed by PowerPoint - three actions that would actually boost defence

       28 Comments

       Tom & Rita Hanks Final AnnouncementDrivepedia | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Winter Fuel Payments update as Angela Rayner drops hint to pensioners

       2 Comments

       Rachel Reeves threatens rare nature across the world if she makes one key decision

       16 Comments

       Olivia Rodrigo’s Height and Weight RevealedFinance Nemo | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Africa's 'best city' in 2025 is a jaw-dropping mega-metropolis with 23m people

       5 Comments

       Rachel Reeves has pushed UK to the brink - what happens next will even horrify her

       285 Comments

       Keir Starmer has declared war on farmers - and this is only just the start

       75 Comments

       Labour hypocrisy exposed over 'act of mindless vandalism' against farmers

       29 Comments

       Labour must now U-turn on farmer inheritance tax raid after winter fuel reverse

       61 Comments

       Rachel Reeves sent new ￡15bn warning over brutal inheritance tax raid

       251 Comments

       Rachel Reeves told 'catastrophic' tax change must be scrapped as new fears erupt

       7 Comments

       Rachel Reeves delivers another hammer blow to farmers months after inheritance tax row

       9 Comments

       Labour threatens UK households with 'bathtime tax' in 'war on family homes'

       148 Comments

       Labour risks 'bulldozing' Britain's ancient woods and trees in housing blitz

       48 Comments

       British army veteran forced to pay ￡20k NHS bill for rest of his life after heart attack

       6 Comments

       A dreadful reckoning awaits as Rachel Reeves to impose more tax rises on middle classes

       18 Comments

       Labour minister squirms in painful BBC Breakfast clash: 'How are you paying for it?!'

       107 Comments

       State pensioner winter fuel payment could be scrapped entirely says IFS

       22 Comments

       Donald Trump's White House admits it could SLASH tariffs below 10% for certain countries

       50 Comments

       Valerie Bertinelli's Son Wolfgang Van Halen's Transformation Will Drop Your JawsGamesWaka

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Salma Hayek, 58, Takes Off Weight Loss With New Perfect FigureDirect Sharing

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       News For Jack Nicholson, 87, He Has Been Confirmed To Be...Reportingly

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       13 Oldest Hollywood Stars We Didn't Know Were Still AliveThe Latest Article

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       The countryside offers more than a connection to our past - it offers a way forward. A model of harmony between people and place. By defending our rural traditions, we defend the values that have long made Britain strong, resilient and proud.

       The countryside is a legacy worth defending. For the sake of our heritage, our security and our future - it must remain at the heart of British life.

       Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst is the Conservative MP for Solihull West & Shirley