Dr Peter Gittins writes for the Farmers Weekly
Peter Gittins expresses his concerns for the new Defra boss, which he states, “will change nothing”.
Dr Peter Gittins, a Lecturer in the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies at Leeds University Business School, argues that another reshuffle at Defra risks repeating a cycle of bold promises without follow-through. He warns that proposed inheritance tax reforms could undermine intergenerational succession and the viability of farms. While the new Secretary, Emma Reynolds, pledges support for the countryside, Gittins highlights a persistent gap between political rhetoric and the practical needs of farmers:
I watched Ms Reynolds’ speech at the Labour Party conference and was struck by her claim that “Labour is the party of the countryside”. Notice she didn’t say “the party for farmers”. There’s a big difference.
He calls for leadership with genuine sector literacy, regular engagement across the supply chain, and the courage to course-correct when policy harms rural businesses. Overall, he turns real-time agricultural policy shifts into actionable insights.
