Since the astonishing results of last week’s election, Nicola Sturgeon and her gang are already demanding more for Scotland. However, a far greater ‘silent’ majority won the election.
According to government figures, 5.3 million people live in Scotland whereas 9.3 million people live in rural areas of England. What is quite clear is that it was the rural population of Britain that, more than any other group, voted the Tories to victory and a precious majority.
These rural voters will not only watch carefully that the ruling party’s manifesto promises on hunting, superfast broadband, rail fares, rural post offices, bovine TB, flood defences and local controls on planning are adhered to, but will also, in the manner of the SNP’s calls for more for Scotland, expect and demand more for rural Britain.
This magazine will seek to ensure that more is done on litter, affordable housing and safeguarding our farming industry. There is more research needed on bees and GM crops, more protection required for the green belt and our historic houses and more must be done to promote rural tourism, just for a start. David Cameron should remember that, although Scotland didn’t vote for him, the countryside did. His majority must be used to improve rural Britain.
Spectator: If you go down to the woods today…
Lucy Baring always seems to miss seeing wildlife.
-
'True waterfront homes are finite... miss one and it could be years before you see another like it again': Why the best waterfront property always hits the spotThere’s no denying the appeal of waterfront property, which now sells for some 51% more than its inland equivalent, finds Knight Frank. Annabel Dixon explores the shore.
-
Beyond Royal Portrush: Castles, country houses and ancient towers in the other dimension of golf in IrelandRory McIlroy's history-making exploits and The Open arriving at Royal Portrush have made 2025 a banner year for Irish golf — but there's far more to golf on the island of Ireland than those headline-grabbers, as Toby Keel finds out.
