Why I am not surprised that 40 per cent of farmers say they would vote for Reform if an election was held tomorrow? Owner occupier farmers have always been on the right politically, many of them holding posts in local Conservative associations. However, they have become disillusioned with the Tories, although in a real general election I am sure that many of them would drift back.
In the 2024 general election, Farmers Weekly data shows that 57 voted Conservative and 15 per cent Reform. Labour support today stands at just one per cent.
Reform support was strongest in the Midlands (52 per cent) and lowest in Scotland (31 per cent). In Wales 22 per cent of farmers said they would vote for Plaid Cymru, but Reform would attract 35 per cent. Just nine per cent of Scottish farmers would back the SNP, behind the Liberal Democrats on 13 per cent.
The Lib Dems did best in the South East and their traditional stronghold of the South West,
Despite the IHT controversy, only 35 per cent of farmers have a robust succession plan. This is a worrying feature of an industry where those who are 80+ think they know best
