The first report by the Labour Rural Research Group (LRRG) reveals the shifting political dynamics in rural Britain following Labour’s historic 2024 General Election victory.
The research, which surveyed over 1,400 rural voters, found that healthcare, the environment, and the rural economy top the list of political priorities for rural voters.
The report highlights widespread feelings of neglect, with nearly three quarters (74.4%) believing rural communities have been overlooked over the past 15 years. Over 80% of respondents believe a distinct rural strategy is needed to address challenges unique to rural life, including access to public services, affordable housing, and the future of farming and food production.
Terry Jermy, Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk said, “As someone who was born and raised in South West Norfolk, I know first-hand how important rural issues are to my constituents, and their frustrations.
“It is clear that improved public services matter to people in places like Norfolk. This includes a need for better health services, particularly GP access and dentistry, as well as the billion pound upgrades to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and West Suffolk Hospital. People also want to see action on delays to key infrastructure holding back economic growth such as the Ely Rail Junction and improved broadband services.”
The finding also challenges stereotypes about rural voters’ resistance to development.
Over 65% of respondents support local development – provided it respects rural identity and local needs. Meanwhile, trust in politicians remains low, with 65% expressing little or no trust across all parties, underlining the need for tangible, community-driven change.
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, the Labour MP who chairs the Labour Rural Research Group, stated that using the labelling rural voters as NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) was “toxic” and “many people rightly despise the term”, which may alienate voters in the countryside.
Notes to editors
Based on a survey of over 1,400 rural voters conducted between 30 June and 14 July 2025, “Understanding Rural Britain” sets out the issues, identities and expectations shaping the political landscape across the UK’s countryside.
The Labour Rural Research Group will use these findings to shape further policy work over the coming year, including deep-dive papers on housing, public services, agriculture, and environmental recovery in rural settings.
● Nearly three quarters (74.4%) of respondents believe rural communities have been overlooked over the past 15 years, while three in five people (60.7%) feel that their rural communities are in decline.
● Meanwhile, over 80% of respondents believe a distinct rural strategy is needed to address challenges unique to rural life, including access to public services, affordable housing, and the future of farming and food production.
● The report also challenges stereotypes about rural voters’ resistance to development, with over 65% of respondents showing support for local development – provided it respects rural identity and local needs.
Download the full report at: labourruralresearchgroup.com
About the Labour Rural Research Group
The Labour Rural Research Group (LRRG) is a group of 26 rural Labour MPs – Labour’s ‘rural wall’. It has been set up to support the government’s mission to deliver for the UK.
The government was elected on the promise of change and rural areas should be at the heart of our national ambitions. But the distinct challenges facing rural Britain require deep and careful consideration.
The LRRG is focused on bringing forward research, evidence and policy ideas that will help unlock the potential of our rural communities while highlighting the challenges our rural communities face.
Members of the LRRG:
1. Sadik Al-Hassan, MP for North Somerset
2. Lee Barron, MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire
3. Matt Bishop, MP for Forest of Dean
4. Julia Buckley, MP for Shrewsbury
5. Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Penrith and Solway
6. Torcuil Crichton, MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar
7. Maya Ellis, MP for Ribble Valley
8. Anna Gelderd, MP for South East Cornwall
9. Jodie Gosling, MP for Nuneaton
10. Amanda Hack, MP for North West Leicestershire
11. Terry Jermy, MP for South West Norfolk
12. Jayne Kirkham, MP for Truro and Falmouth
13. Noah Law, MP for St Austell and Newquay
14. Perran Moon, MP for Camborne and Redruth
15. James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe
16. Josh Newbury MP, MP for Cannock Chase
17. Samantha Niblett, MP for South Derbyshire
18. Richard Quigley, MP for Isle of Wight West
19. Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, MP for Suffolk Coastal
20. Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland
21. Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness
22. Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster and Wyre
23. David Smith, MP for North Northumberland
24. Henry Tufnell, MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire
25. John Whitby, MP for Derbyshire Dales
26. Steve Witherden, MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
