The National Farming Union (NFU) has drawn up a list of the top 30 constituencies to watch that involve farming in the upcoming election.
The 30 key constituencies—and ‘one to keep watching’—have been chosen based on where farmers are standing; where candidates are standing who have influenced the farming agenda or might influence it in the future; and where the farming vote could influence the outcome.
The NFU will be tracking the constituencies, offering analysis and commentary and exploring the key issues. On election night, the NFU will have online hour-by-hour analysis.
Julie Robinson, the NFU’s acting head of Government and Parliamentary affairs, said: ‘The results of the election will be key for the many issues affecting our farmers and growers.
‘They need strong political backing if they’re to play their part in tackling the global challenges of increasing population, dwindling resources and climate change.
‘For our industry to thrive, we need to see farming and growing at the heart of policy-making. The “30 to watch” seats we’re identified include many of the rural constituencies that are marginal and could make all the difference to the result come election night on May 6.’
The NFU’s ’30 to watch’ constituencies are (in alphabetical order):
1. Arundel and South Downs
2. Brecon and Radnorshire
3. Brigg and Goole
4. Brighton Pavilion
5. Buckingham
6. Camborne and Redruth
7. South East Cambridgeshire
8. Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire
9. Chippenham
10. Copeland
11. Gedling
12. Grantham and Stamford
13. Leeds Central
14. Ludlow
15. Meirionnydd Dwyfor
16. Newbury
17. Mid Norfolk
18. Penrith and The Border
19. Poplar and Limehouse
20. Richmond Park
21. Selby and Ainsty
22. Somerton and Frome
23. Stafford
24. Staffordshire Moorlands
25. Stroud
26. Tiverton and Honiton
27. Torridge and West Devon
28. Waveney
29. Westmorland and Lonsdale
30. York Outer
The NFU’s ‘one to keep watching’ constituency is Thirsk and Malton, where the election has been countermanded to May 27 following the death of UKIP candidate John Boakes.
To comment on this article, use the comment box below, or email us at clonews@ipcmedia.com. Read more about the countryside
For more news stories like this every week subscribe and save
Follow Country Life on Twitter
