Farmers feel let down by MPs

FARMERS FEEL let down by politicians and the political process, according to FW’s election survey.

Of the 2000 readers who responded to the survey, 95% said they did not feel that politicians paid enough attention to rural issues.

Asked if they felt farmers’ views had been well represented by any of the main parties during the 2005 election race, 91% also said “no”.

The survey also indicated a lack of trust in MPs regardless of which political party they represent.

Nine out of 10 respondents said they did not believe that politicians would honour their manifesto commitments in regard to farming.

When asked about which parliamentary institution does the most for farmers, 53% of producers said the House of Lords, compared with just 5% who said the House of Commons.

Thirty per cent said neither body did anything for farmers while 12% said they both did an equal amount.