Orcadian Column, 21 November 2024

“Never pick a fight with a profession that appears in a children’s book”. Such was the advice famously issued by The Economist some years back. In truth, most administrations have honoured it more in the breach, with the previous UK Conservative government being in almost constant conflict with doctors, nurses, teachers and police.

In a similar vein, Sir Keir Starmer and colleagues have wasted little time in falling out spectacularly with farmers. Last month’s UK budget triggered a reaction that suggests The Economist’s advice has yet again fallen on deaf ears.

A rally in London on Tuesday saw protests stepped up against changes in inheritance tax rules, which farming representatives argue will adversely affect many family farm businesses across the country. Unhelpfully, there is a large discrepancy between UK Government calculations and those of the sector about the likely impact. What is not in doubt, however, is the fury felt in many rural and island communities, who feel Ministers know little and care less about their issues and needs.

It may be that Labour strategists thought they were targeting high profile figures like Jeremy Clarkson, long felt to be shamelessly exploiting loopholes in the tax system. If so, not enough thought was given to so-called ‘collateral damage’. Indeed, the question remains why changes were not phased in over a few years, thereby allowing farm businesses to plan ahead. As it stands, this looks and feels like an attempt to hammer farmers.

That is certainly the message I heard loud and clear from the young couple I met at the start of this week. Sitting in their kitchen on Monday drinking tea, I listened as they talked through their own circumstances, the choices they face and the perilous financial position they and others now find themselves in. The language was measured, voices were calm, but there was no disguising the genuine anxiety and uncertainty about the future.

This anxiety has not been helped by another decision announced in the UK budget that sees farm funding devolved and the ‘ring fence’ lifted. While the Scottish Government is unlikely to re-allocate funds in its budget due to be published next month, pressure to do so may grow in future years with public services under serious pressure across the board. John Swinney’s government has already raided £46m from the farm budget, and while he promised again last week that it would be returned in full, farming communities are understandably and rightly nervous.

Farmers will again gather next week, this time at Holyrood to reinforce the message about the importance of sustaining funding levels. Before that, a meeting at the Orkney Mart on Tuesday heard a very similar message as well as concerns about the implications locally. Alistair Carmichael and I could not be there in person, but sent messages of support, recognising that agriculture remains an anchor within our island economy and lies at the heart of our island community. The funding received percolates out and helps sustain a wide range of local businesses as well as schools and even lifeline transport links. This matters beyond simply those directly involved in farming.

Meanwhile, Alistair and I have also joined forces in pushing back against proposals to close crown post offices, including the one in Kirkwall. Since news broke earlier this month, there has been a hasty retreat and promises that nothing will happen without local people being consulted. Even so, the Post Office has its work cut out persuading anyone that decisions have not already been taken.

Alistair and I have now written seeking an urgent meeting with senior Post Office representatives. We want to establish the status of any plans and how a consultation might be undertaken in ways that are meaningful and not simply a tick box exercise.

The meeting will also give us a chance to highlight the importance of this particular post office to people and businesses not just in Kirkwall but across Orkney. It is undoubtedly popular and well-used, delivering a range of important and necessary services. Moreover, we all know that postmen feature prominently in many children’s books and TV shows. The Post Office would do well to tread carefully.