Farmers Must Be Partners, Not Afterthoughts, Warns Milne

Horsham MP John Milne (Liberal Democrats) has criticised the UK Government for failing to develop a coherent strategy for rural communities—especially those dependent on agriculture.

In a recent interview with Farmers Guardian, Milne argued that despite their vital role in food production, environmental stewardship and supporting local economies, rural communities are too often treated as an afterthought in national policymaking.

Milne warned that this persistent oversight is widening the divide between rural and urban Britain, leaving countryside residents feeling ignored, undervalued and left behind.

Key Points Raised by John Milne

• No clear rural development strategy: Milne insisted there has been no central effort from Government that fully addresses the needs of rural economies. He argues that rural areas are "falling further behind" urban ones as national policy continues to overlook them.

  
  

• Feeling neglected and misunderstood: He said that people living in rural regions often sense that their issues are neither heard nor well understood by policymakers. The gap isn’t only about geography, but about values, services and expectations.

  
  

• Call to work with farmers: Central to Milne’s argument is that any credible rural strategy must involve farmers themselves—not just treating them as beneficiaries, but as partners in shaping policy.

Why This Matters

Milne’s observations come at a time when economic disparities between rural and urban areas are growing—and many in farming and countryside communities believe that policy fails to reflect the unique challenges they face (transport, broadband, labour, service access etc.).

If rural communities are to thrive rather than merely survive, Milne argues, Government must take purposeful, tailored action. This includes listening closely to “on the ground” perspectives and ensuring that rural voices aren’t an afterthought.

What a Rural Strategy Should Include (According to the Concerns Raised)

While Milne did not lay out a detailed plan, his comments suggest a strategy should include:

• Co-design of rural policy with farmers and local rural stakeholders

  
  

• Addressing infrastructure gaps (such as connectivity, services, transport)

  
  

• Ensuring that rural places receive comparable attention in national economic policy, not just generic growth-talk that tends to favour urban centres

John Milne’s message is clear: without a targeted and inclusive approach, the divide between urban and rural Britain will only deepen. He believes that the future of rural communities depends on Government recognising their unique needs, giving farmers a genuine seat at the table, and committing to long-term policies that value the countryside as much as the city.