The Telegraph reports that the leadership candidates have pledged to ‘champion the rural way of life’ in a written plea to rural campaigners

Writing in the magazine of the Countryside Alliance, Liz Truss pledged to scrap Whitehall planning targets which threaten rural areas across the country, and said she would be removing red tape in the inspection regime for food producers in a bid to improve Britain’s food security.

Writing for the same magazine, Rishi Sunak said his “mission has always been to do things ‘for’ rural communities, not ‘to’ them.”

However, the former chancellor’s pitch did not include any specific policies for rural voters.

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, who both represent rural constituencies, are keen to be seen as supporters of farmers and the wider rural economy.

According to a snap survey of Countryside Alliance members, surging costs and rising inflation is now the number one issue in rural areas.

There is overwhelming support for a VAT cut on fuel, with nine out of 10 respondents backing the move.

And six out of 10 want an end to green levies on energy bills.

It also found that just over half thought the cost of filling their oil tank had gone up at least 50 per cent, while more than three quarters said their disposable income had decreased by at least 10 per cent.

Tim Bonner, the Alliance’s chief executive said: “The cost-of-living crisis is affecting rural communities as deeply as any part of the country and that is clearly a hot button issue for many of our members.”

Full article:

The Telegraph - Truss and Sunak tell rural Tory voters they will ‘champion’ their way of life
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