The Rural Coalition publishes questions for Conservative leadership candidates 

In a letter sent to the Conservative leadership candidates, The Rural Coalition has called for proper and equitable treatment of rural issues in the debate about the country's future leadership.

In England, rural areas are home to 9.3 million residents and around 545,000 registered businesses. They contribute to the nation’s economic and social wellbeing, but many are held back by historical and underlying problems.

Eight questions have been put to Liz Truss MP and Rishi Sunak MP that are critical issues of importance to the future of rural areas. The areas the candidates have been asked to consider range from rural proofing urban-focused policies to unlocking the rural economy to ensuring a ‘just’ transition to net zero for rural areas.

The Rural Coalition is an alliance of thirteen national organisations, including the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), who subscribe to a vision for a living and working countryside in England.

Read the complete list of questions

Read The Rural Coalition’s letters to Rishi Sunak MP  and  Liz Truss MP