Will’s World: Unions, reunions and casual sock-watching

I’m writing this in a trendy café at a bustling Birmingham New Street Station.

I like Birmingham a lot. The people are warm and friendly (the lady behind the counter just called me “bab” in a broad Brummie accent and I’ll smile about that all day), much of the architecture has a wonderfully futuristic feel, there are nods to their proud industrial heritage everywhere, and while I’ve been sipping on my fancy metropolitan latte I’ve indulged in one of my favourite hobbies – farmer spotting.

See also: 3 ways for dairy units to make on/off grazing work

Yes, it’s the afternoon after the NFU Conference, and hordes of ruddy-faced, tweed-clad members are heading back to their various corners of rural Britain after a few days of politicking and socialising in the big city.

Resilience bingo

I always enjoy this conference, mainly for the fact that it’s good to catch up with friends and colleagues and be reminded that you’re not the only one struggling with poor weather, low forage stocks and terrible prices, but also because it provides so many good talking points.

Who’ll win the officeholder elections? When will we finally get some clarity on government environmental schemes?

Just how many times will the word “resilience” be mentioned on stage? Which male speaker will wear the most flamboyant socks?

Can the secretary of state’s address to delegates possibly be any worse than Therese “car crash” Coffey’s in 2023?

The answer to the last one, by the way, is a resounding no – although I’m starting to think Emma Reynolds would make a splendid Blue Peter presenter, with her ever-so-lovely jolly-hockey-sticks manner.

Something for her to think about when the inevitable Cabinet reshuffle happens and we get our 137th new Defra minister in five years.

Group mentality

What it’s left me contemplating the most, though, is leadership, and who really speaks for us as farmers in these turbulent times.

We’re often lumped together by the media as some sort of homogeneous mass, but when every farming sector, business and family situation is so wildly different, it’s nigh on impossible to do so – though it doesn’t stop many from trying.

I found it amusing to see how many individuals and organisations were queuing to take credit for the increase in the inheritance tax threshold in December.

I’ve lost count of how many different protest groups there are now, let alone the many bandwagon-jumping empty vessels that are farming YouTubers and social media influencers, but none of them were too shy to claim the victory for themselves.

I suppose some people might point to Jeremy Clarkson, who’s become a leadership figure and de facto spokesman for UK agriculture.

Don’t get me wrong, his programme’s very entertaining and has done a lot of good with raising the profile of British farming, but I’m not sure that translates into much of a financial benefit for the rest of us.

And don’t think I’m putting myself forward; I’m barely hanging on by a thread at the best of times, and wouldn’t feel remotely qualified to have an expert opinion on anything, as I’m certain regular readers of my ramblings will agree.

So that leaves the farming unions and organisations such as the TFA and CLA.

They may not get everything right, but who possibly could, in such a vast and diverse industry as ours?

At least they have a proper governance structure, checks and balances, and full accountability, which in an increasingly disrupted world is perhaps more important than ever.

A great leader once said: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” We’d do well to remember it.