SNP and Labour just don't understand rural communities. So I will be their voice

They say in politics that you should never ask a question unless you already know the answer. When I pressed Defra minister Mary Creagh this morning on whether her government would “roll over” the farm budget underspend into the next year’s allocation, I thought that I did indeed already know her answer. After all, when in opposition her party was clear that farm budgets should be protected from Treasury clawbacks. What could possibly have changed since then?

The minister’s response, however, left something to desire. “We are looking at everything as part of the spending review and decisions will be announced in due course.” Forgive me if I am not basking in the warm glow of government munificence here.

I rose to ask that question for the first time under my new remit as chair-elect of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee in Parliament. To be elected as its chair is an enormous honour, but more importantly it brings a responsibility to drive home the interests of rural communities and the rural economy with the government of the day. Suffice it to say that there is plenty of scope for improvement in that regard.

Lack of trust in Labour

We all know that the previous Conservative government did its level best to alienate rural communities since 2019. It is fair to say, however, that there is not an enormous bank of goodwill and trust that Labour can call upon in terms of its rural support around the country either.

Truth be told, it is quite some time since either of our governments – in Westminster or Holyrood – have had a good story to tell on food, farming or rural issues in general. The SNP (and formerly SNP-Green) Scottish Government has shamelessly raided farm budgets whenever there was a ferry-shaped hole in their finances, to say nothing of their high-handed approach to land use, fishing rights and other issues which matter to food producers.

In the next few years, key decisions are going to be made by our governments that will influence the shape and course of life in our rural communities for a decade and more. That is why the scrutinising role of the committee could prove to be absolutely critical in the years to come. In the absence of strong rural voices within government, it is going to be our job to speak truth to power.

Holding government to account

Rural communities – and in truth, anyone who cares about the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe – deserve nothing less than a government at the top of its game and with these priorities at the top of their agenda. You only get that when there is clear accountability in parliament.

Once the remaining members of the committee are appointed in October, there will be no time to lose. Our “to do” list is going to be lengthy, but I intend for us to hit the ground running. When we bring ministers and officials to account for their decisions, they are going to need to be on top of their brief and accurate in their responses.

After all, in politics you never ask a question unless you already know the answer.

Alistair Carmichael is the Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland