Melissa Kite Melissa Kite

Miliband country

The manifestos of a potential ‘progressive alliance’ pose a profound threat to the countryside

issue 02 May 2015

Imagine rural England five years into a Labour government led by Ed Miliband, and propped up by the SNP and perhaps also the Greens. If you can’t imagine, let me paint the picture for you using policies from their election manifestos and only a small amount of artistic licence.

The biggest house-building programme in history is well under way, with a million new houses mainly being built in rural areas. Several ‘garden cities’ have sprung up in Surrey, Sussex and Kent, though in truth the gardens are the size of postage stamps. No matter, because having a big garden is a liability since right to roam was extended so that ramblers can walk across your lawn.

Oh, and if you’re thinking of walking a dog, think again. The killing of any animal outdoors, whether intentional or accidental, is deemed to be ‘reckless hunting’. Consequently, most dog owners simply cannot risk letting their dog off the lead in case it catches a squirrel, the penalty for which is a prison sentence.

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