The political football landed squarely at the First Minister’s feet, with a clear shot at an open goal—only for Mr Swinney to send it sailing wide at this week’s AgriScot. Amidst the fallout from Rachael “Theave” Reeves’ budget, this was the perfect opportunity for Scotland’s First Minister to dribble past the London lot and offer farmers north of the border a real vision of hope. Alas, the chance fizzled out with barely a whisper.
Mr Swinney’s concerns about funding security are fair, but clarity on how cash will be used to reward active farmers and crofters is something only he can deliver without shifting blame. The misty maze of support tiers for future farm payments continues to offer little reassurance to the rural economy, which is left squinting through bureaucratic fog.
While it might be satisfying for opposition parties to watch Labour’s credibility with rural voters nosedive, this is the moment to step up and show an alternative vision. The absurd claim this week by a former Labour advisor that the country can manage without farmers gave us all a wake-up call on just how dire things have become.
Let’s hope that, as the countryside descends on London on the 19th, we show off the very best of farming and make clear the harm inflicted on rural communities by Labour’s poorly conceived taxes. How the optics will play out across social media, TV news, and the press remains to be seen, but the message needs to be well articulated. If it’s not, the public might spare little sympathy when they consider the assets required to cross inheritance tax thresholds.
Farmers are rightly respected as a hardworking and honest industry, which puts them in good stead to communicate with the public.
The English NFU’s U-turn on the unofficial rally should help boost numbers. They’ve hardly covered themselves in glory over the need to protest, but they must have realised that farmers are desperate to voice their concerns about the damage wreaked on agriculture by Labour’s budget. A closed meeting in a hall with Labour MPs wasn’t going to cut it—the public needs to hear directly from those affected.
Preparations need to be in place if Holyrood’s Budget on December 4 fails to return the £46.1 million due back to the farming portfolio. The NFUS, wisely deploying a preemptive rally before Finance Secretary Shona Robison’s announcement, is sending a message loud and clear: farming is not an easy target. Cue a lovefest on the steps of Holyrood as MSPs scramble to profess their undying support for farmers, but the proof will be in the SNP’s spending plans.
But if the cash isn’t back by Christmas, it’s time to act. Tractor go-slows around Scotland’s major cities could serve as a pointed reminder that government should mean what they say and say what they mean.
The Scottish farming industry has important work to get on with as it feeds the nation, cares for the countryside, and drives the local economy. Sadly, right now, it feels like politicians are intent on yanking the handbrake at every opportunity.
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