Support for the Conservative Party among farmers has slipped below 50% for the first time in living memory as enthusiasm for what has traditionally been regarded as the “party of the countryside” has waned.
Farmers Weekly’s annual Sentiment Survey shows that, when asked how they would vote if there was a general election tomorrow, just 42% said they would vote Conservative.
This compares with the 57% who said they would vote that way a year ago, and 72% who would have voted Tory in 2020 – a figure that was much more in step with the farming community’s traditional voting pattern.
I think the worse thing that could happen for the Labour Party is to be elected at the next General Election. They will have to deal with the high cost of living, high interest rates, strikes throughout the country, a war in Ukraine, unemployment and all the rest of the ills that currently befall the country. Unless they have magic money pot they will be castigated for the actions they will need to take and if they are elected with a small majority or even in a coalition they will not survive the 5 years. Perhaps the Conservatives have this in mind and are planning for a Labour Government in order that they can be discredited.
As Labour found out to their cost in its red wall seats, take your core voters from granted, and they will turn on you.
Saying a few farmers won’t make any difference is an attitude which exemplifies the problem they face.
Farms are a business. That takes priority over misplaced idealism over 'green' issues. When they get to the voting station the issue is still going to be, who is likely to be best, or at least, least worse, for keeping the business going. Even if some switch from voting Tory, it's likely to be to another right leaning party or an independent.
As Labour found out to their cost in its red wall seats, take your core voters from granted, and they will turn on you.
Saying a few farmers won’t make any difference is an attitude which exemplifies the problem they face.
This is interesting. As i suspected, the Tories are a dead party going through the motions. We need to give a different government a go in power. Do we need a strong third party?.