OPINION: "The upward struggle for relevance has just begun, but can farmers forgive and forget 14 years of Conservative rule?'

Was the Conservative Party Conference a success or a flop? Farmers Guardian reporter Chris Brayford reveals what it was like to attend conference this year

Chris Brayford
clock • 8 min read
FG news reporter Chris Brayford said: "The Conservatives used to almost expect farmers to vote for them time and time again for decades, but now they have to fight for the rural vote like they never have before."
Image:

FG news reporter Chris Brayford said: "The Conservatives used to almost expect farmers to vote for them time and time again for decades, but now they have to fight for the rural vote like they never have before."

Being a Conservative at the moment must be like trying to frantically pump air into a balloon which has hundreds of tiny little holes, making it impossible to inflate. Much has been spoken about the...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Politics

Welsh Election 2026: Middle East uncertainty highlights need to back domestic food production

Welsh Election 2026: Middle East uncertainty highlights need to back domestic food production

NFU Cymru and FUW have emphasised the need for the next Welsh Government to provide fair and sustainable funding, evidence-based policymaking and regulatory reform to safeguard the viability and long-term sustainability of Welsh agriculture

Chris Brayford
clock 09 April 2026 • 4 min read
From the editor: A glimmer of hope, but uncertainty remains the watchword

From the editor: A glimmer of hope, but uncertainty remains the watchword

This week from the Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones

Katie Jones
clock 09 April 2026 • 2 min read
Farm incomes squeezed by costs and April tax changes

Farm incomes squeezed by costs and April tax changes

Input cost rises and the new tax year are major concerns for farms, despite the ceasefire in the Middle-East

clock 08 April 2026 • 4 min read