Stop The Countrycide

Anything that takes on the supermarket quadropoly and its countrycidal, cartel-against-the-poor ways is obviously to be welcomed.

But we are only in this mess because of the historically aberrant cession of the countryside, especially in England, to a party which in any case long ago became ideologically opposed to its interests; in Scotland and Wales, country people have to make do with the Lib Dems, who in their way are even worse.

Instead, we need a party committed to the defence of rural services, leading in particular to the systematic reversal of bus route and (where possible) rail line closures going back to the 1950s, as well as of the erosion of local schools, medical facilities, Post Offices, and so on. To a national network of public transport free at the point of use.

Committed to real agriculture as the mainstay of strong communities, environmental responsibility and animal welfare (leading to safe, healthy and inexpensive food), as against American-style ‘factory farming’. To defence of the remaining field sports. To a free vote in government time on repeal of the ban on hunting with dogs.

Committed to a new and powerful second chamber elected on the basis of the English ceremonial counties, Scottish lieutenancy areas, Welsh preserved counties, and Northern Irish counties, with each of those 99 units having equal representation.

Committed to making the supermarkets invest in agriculture and small business (investment to be determined in close consultation with the National Farmers’ Union and the Federation of Small Businesses) by means of a windfall tax, to be followed if necessary by a permanently higher flat rate of corporation tax.

And committed, in either case, to strict regulation to ensure that the costs of this are not passed on to suppliers, workers, consumers, communities or the environment.

Is there such a party? There is.