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Unpopular opinion; Labour needs to stop viewing "rural issues" through the prism of animal rights activism exclusively if we are to reach voters beyond those in urban cities. Protecting the bee's isn't enough to get disaffected rural voters interested in Labour.
Many living in rural areas are feeling increasingly detached from this government, which has disproportionately prioritised cities in terms of policies and funding. Labour can provide the answers and be a party for the countryside, but we need to be bold.
We also need to recognise that for many in rural areas, we have no intention to leave. We want the opportunity to thrive without moving to big cities. Place-based investment is absolutely key and support for small-scale enterprise and manufacturing.
Genuine policies on rural transport should be another priority. Whether it's reviewing the Beeching cuts or the the municipalisation of bus services.
We also must have policies in favour of democratic local involvement in planning. Rural voters are far more likely to support small-scale development on disused plots of land than they are the Conservative's current policy of "automatic planning permission".
Conservatives have taken the countryside granted (similar to how we took the Red Wall for granted) but if @AnnelieseDodds can come up with economic strategy that genuinely delivers for rural areas, then we could make a real impression on voters.
It's worth remembering that Labour cannot (statistically) win, relying solely on large urban cities.
