Calls for new PM not to overlook rural areas

The UK’s new Prime Minister must keep the interests of rural communities on the national agenda.

That is the message being sent to Andy Burnham, who has recently taken on the country’s top job following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey was one of the MPs to express concern at the new Prime Minister’s lack of rural exposure.

Similarly, members of Andy Burnham’s own party have also called for a greater focus on rural areas, with the Labour Rural Research Group saying more must be done to win the trust of voters outside of big towns and cities.

Before being elected as the new MP for Makerfield, Andy Burnham spent more than 10 years as Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Tessa Munt, Liberal Democrat MP for Wells and Mendip Hills, said that issues of rural concern, such as reliable public transport, could become buried as focus shifts towards relocating many central government functions from London to the urban north west.

She said: “I hope that with a change in Prime Minister comes a change in mindset.

“Public transport is a key part of connecting rural communities and boosting the economy.

“It needs greater prioritisation, and I will do all I can to continue to bring it to the attention of the government.”

However, during a speech last month, in which he announced his intention to stand as Labour leader, along with plans for greater devolution, Andy Burnham did make a specific reference to rural communities and, in particular, the issue of transport.

He said his administration would deliver more “powers for our rural economies to address issues specific to them, like inadequate transport.”

ACRE will be engaging with the new ministerial team, as well as building more relationships with MPs from all parties to not only highlight the issues facing rural communities, but also to propose solutions and showcase the work of the Network.