New Political Party led by farmers and other such local rural people

[Andrew B]

I have been very impressed, by attending various farming conferences over the last few months, by the excellent speakers (often entrepreneurial farmers) who have something interesting to say and are bringing in new ideas to deal with identified problems.

These conferences have little input from the big agro-chemical and big agri- business suppliers sponsorship (and control) but are filled with dynamic people who really are, in my experience, honest straightforward people trying to do some good.

Most people, I have spoken to recently, now feel represented by none of the political parties in UK and it struck me that maybe a new political party is needed which has farming, food, business, health, security etc at its heart.

The matters which most people are now dealing seem to be completely ignored by the politicians and we are heading into difficult times ahead.

Most new political parties are birthed from disgruntled politicians but what if politicians were banned from the leadership of such a new party but rather everyone in leadership roles in this new party were just straightforward honest people, have evidence they can run a business to a budget and who can lead from the experience they have gained through their own businesses.

Is that too simplistic or could interested people get together and offer an alternative to what's on offer now?

I fully appreciate that in the inner cities there might be more of a challenge but even there leadership is massively lacking and a new approach is needed which if food and health focused might gain support

I don't specifically want this thread to become a political discussion but rather to discuss if a new party would be welcome, if farmers and those with businesses in the rural environment are suitable MP's and wether anyone would be interested?

My own situation is that I am pretty apolitical but the mess we find ourselves in now as a country seems to require some action.

 

[PSQ]

It wouldn’t take long for ‘vested interests’ (corn -v- horn, organic -v- conventional, family farm -v- ‘2nd rate county’, etc) to try to hijack it, and before you know it you’ve got to warring factions ripping it apart in front of the public eye - take UKIP as an example.

 

[delilah]

I share your view that food, farming and health should be at the centre of the political agenda. That's why I am a card- carrying member of The Green Party.

 

[uztrac]

Whilst it is an excellent idea on paper giving birth to it would probably be difficult. Already you have 3 differing groupings representing the countryside & rural interests e.g. CLA,NFU,Countryside Alliance,even they cannot agree on a common approach to issues.Like the nation ,splintered , is the biggest issue that needs resolving.

 

[pgtips]

Thought for a long time that there should be a common sense Party.

 

[Brisel]

Thought for a long time that there should be a common sense Party.

Sadly, there's no place for it. Good guys finish last

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Take the Brexiteers from Labour and Consevative party and that's your new party. A party that does what its told to do by the people.

 

[czechmate]

Take the Brexiteers from Labour and Consevative party and that's your new party. A party that does what its told to do by the people.

Except they’ve done Jack but watch and snear from the sidelines

 

[yellowbelly]

Thought for a long time that there should be a common sense Party.

It's about time a law was drafted to stop these 'career politicians' standing for election. IMHO, candidates should have a 10 year qualifying period in a 'proper job' before seeking election.

 

[Hilly]

It's about time a law was drafted to stop these 'career politicians' standing for election. IMHO, candidates should have a 10 year qualifying period in a 'proper job' before seeking election.

x2

 

[betweenthelines]

Sadly, any rural based movement, political or otherwise, will fail because the rural population doesn't have enough clout (ie votes) in the bigger scheme of things

 

[thesilentone]

Of course there is a need for a new modern political party, and now is the time to kick off. The old habits of bribing overseas Countries to buy from us are coming to an end, as is the battering we give to the soil and water that sustains us.

New ideas on how to sell quality healthy products globally, to the new emerging economies that will eventually turn the World markets around by becoming the power brokers (India, China, Indonesia, South America). Technology development and AI development and roll out, representing highly educated, well paid workers.

The UK is no longer represented by the Big House in London, we need a fresh start.

Wishfull thinking I'm afraid, those with the loot run the World, and nowt will change anytime soon......

 

[Still Farming]

May be an opening in the next week or so?
Alledgely maybe?

 

[Andrew B]

Thanks for the responses so far. It's true if something was to be established then now is the time.

I have looked in despair at those who represent us now and have moaned enough to those around me but thought maybe doing something was possible

I believe that something could be established if there was some support but not seeing too much yet!

I suppose we have all got used to not engaging with where our country is going and just hoping for the best

 

[BDBed]

I think most would think it's a good idea and would also say it would never work. Maybe as a community we should take a more positive approach to things. If we don't try we will never know if it doesn't work.

 

[lazy farmer]

https://www.allenandunwin.com/brows...rong-Politicians-Isabel-Hardman-9781782399735

 

[toquark]

I sympathise. I've always been quite politically aware and never have I been less enthused by the current offering from the political parties. They're all utterly, utterly useless. It's really very disheartening.

Unfortunately a 'rural' party will never work. The numbers simply don't stack up. The CA effectively began as a lobbying organisation got some early (modest) success and press attention then promptly ended splintered, bickering and irrelevant.

 

[toquark]

I think most would think it's a good idea and would also say it would never work. Maybe as a community we should take a more positive approach to things. If we don't try we will never know if it doesn't work.

Again I sympathise with the viewpoint but what you and the OP are suggesting is effectively adding to the current myriad of countryside organisations who can't agree on anything. Fracturing the support further.

In my idealistic world, there would be one huge umbrella organisation covering all rural interests with separate wings for each function/industry (farming, forestry, country sports etc etc) each basically fighting their own corner but with a number of common goals in relation to rural funding, regulation etc. If membership was large enough it would provide a formidable lobbying body to any government.

Great in theory, but I suspect you'd end up with each wing fighting with each other instead of lobbying the government of the day.

 

[pgtips]

Common sense party ticks all the boxes. The average Brit shows a lot of common sense.Who would want to vote for any other party implying a lack of common sense and anybody lacking common sense you wouldn't want in the party anyway.
A Farmer as chancellor would be my first appointment.

 

[Clive]

Whilst I agree 100% with the sentiment of the first post the trouble with fragmentation is it simply divides and conquers

such a party would be nice but would be so marginal it would be near impossible for it to make any difference or actually have any impact

Politics does seem rather broken just now, watching the news tonight and UK, France and the USA all featured and all a mess just now and they are juts the tip of the iceberg thats being reported today