The Conservative Party must step into the widening chasm Labour has opened in Britain.

Keir Starmer has opened up a chasm in UK life (Image: PA)

In an age of rapid technological change and globalisation, it’s easy to feel some of the values that have long defined us are slipping away. But the countryside remains a vital part of our national identity – a place where history, tradition, and community converge. For Conservatives, the countryside is more than land; it embodies the enduring principles that define Britain: self-reliance, responsibility, and deep-rooted respect for our heritage.

The countryside has long been Britain’s beating heart. For generations, families have worked the land – from ox-drawn ploughs to today’s high-tech farming that feeds the nation. It represents continuity in a world of upheaval. For Conservatives, these traditions reflect the best of us: hard work, a respect for nature, and a community spirit that binds us together.

Conservatism isn’t about clinging to the past for nostalgia’s sake. As Gustav Mahler said: ‘tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire’. The countryside, with its time-honoured customs, shows how we can modernise while preserving what matters.

In rural Britain, values like community and responsibility are not just spoken about – they’re lived. Neighbours look out for each other, families work together, and there’s a bond with the land that goes beyond self-interest. In today’s increasingly disconnected world, this shared sense of purpose is more important than ever.

Rural traditions, from the harvest to the hunt, are more than customs. They’re the threads of a cultural fabric that has stood firm through generations. In a globalised age, they offer much-needed stability and continuity.

The countryside is not without its challenges. Farming communities face pressure from automation, climate demands, and global markets. Young people leave rural areas seeking opportunities, taking with them generations of know-how. This is not just a cultural loss, but a practical one. Skills essential to managing land, preserving wildlife, and sustaining British agriculture are at risk.

These challenges have worsened under the Labour Party. Sir Keir Starmer’s Government has shown little understanding of rural Britain. Their policies overlook the importance of farming and disregard the unique needs of these communities. This failure puts at risk not just a way of life, but a vital part of our national fabric.

The recent suicide of Yorkshire farmer John Charlesworth, reportedly driven by fears over inheritance tax  changes, is a tragic reminder of how deeply government policy can impact the lives and legacies of rural families.

Conservatives must be the voice for farmers and rural areas – defending their rights, boosting sustainable agriculture, and investing in infrastructure. The countryside is not some quaint relic; it is the living, breathing core of our national identity.

The role of the countryside in national security is often ignored – but it’s essential. The land itself, nurtured over centuries, is a strategic asset that strengthens our resilience.

In war and crisis, it’s the countryside that has always delivered – food, resources, sanctuary. If we’re serious about defending Britain’s future, we must defend rural communities – not just for their cultural value, but because they are integral to our national security.

The Conservative Party has always stood for tradition, community, and self-reliance. To stay relevant to rural Britain, we must protect its heritage while helping it adapt. That means supporting farmers through green innovation, backing rural businesses, and ensuring young people have reasons to stay or return.

We also need serious investment in rural infrastructure – faster broadband, better transport, and affordable homes – so rural communities aren’t left behind in the race to urbanise. Access to vital services like healthcare and education must not be a postcode lottery.

The countryside isn’t a weekend retreat for the privileged. It shapes the very values that make Britain great. Its traditions – hard work, community, stewardship of the land – remain as relevant today as ever. As Conservatives, we have a duty to protect these traditions and pass them on.

The countryside offers more than a connection to our past – it offers a way forward. A model of harmony between people and place. By defending our rural traditions, we defend the values that have long made Britain strong, resilient and proud.

The countryside is a legacy worth defending. For the sake of our heritage, our security and our future – it must remain at the heart of British life.

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst is the Conservative MP for Solihull West & Shirley