Labour alienating rural people' with plan to ban trail hunting, says Countryside Alliance

"When Keir Starmer said that he wanted a new relationship with the countryside' we all assumed he meant a better one, but in 18 months his government has alienated rural people and created the clear impression that it does not care about the countryside. Its warped priorities have put taxing family farms, raising rates for rural businesses and banning trail hunting above policies that would benefit rural people."

"The Countryside Alliance defended trail hunting, introduced to comply with the Hunting Act 2004's ban on pursuing foxes, saying hunts contributed more than 100m a year to the rural economy. Tens of thousands of people are expected to turn up at Boxing Day trail hunts Ministers raise inheritance tax threshold for farms after backlash A consultation is to be launched by the government in early 2026 on how to ban trail hunting."

A poll suggests 65% of voters think the Labour administration unfairly neglects country communities. A new animal welfare strategy includes provisions to ban trail hunting, where hounds follow a scent rather than pursue a live animal. A consultation on how to ban trail hunting is planned for early 2026. Tensions persist over inheritance tax break changes for farms despite a partial government U-turn. Trail hunts are reported to contribute more than £100m a year to the rural economy. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend Boxing Day trail hunts. Policies prioritizing taxation and bans over rural benefits have alienated rural communities and undermined efforts to rebuild trust.

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