‘Morally bankrupt’: Tories may pay price for ignoring farmers

Rishi Sunak’s charm offensive at the NFU conference has not won over rural voters who are also skeptical of Labour

Farmers often feel ignored by Westminster politicians. Now, however, as a general election heaves slowly into view and the fight for the rural vote begins, it was not a huge surprise when the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, turned up at their annual conference.

Sunak told farmers: “I have your back” and waxed nostalgic about the bucolic British countryside and his experience milking a cow.