Boris Johnson has stepped down as PM as more mps including Defra's Jo Churchill resign.The PM hopes to remain as PM until the autumn.

Mr Johnson has angered the farming industry with policy announcements that ignored rural communities and have put conservation above food production.

Boris Johnson’s hopes of surviving as prime minister were dealt a major blow after farmers and environmentalists condemned his government’s post-Brexit food strategy as a disaster for people in the countryside.

He clashed with farmers before the critical West Country by-election last month.They told the PM that his policies  would leave them poorer and unable to compete with foreign producers. They told him that the of loss of income from subsidies and pressure to prioritise the environment over food production was impractical, especially at a time when the country is facing serious challenges of food security.

CLA president Mark Tufnell said:

“The next leader of the Conservatives has an uphill battle to win back the trust of rural voters.  

“Rural communities feel ignored, angry, and forgotten about. And for good reason. 

“The rural economy is 18 per cent less productive than the national average, leading to a stagnant economy and limited aspiration. Boris Johnson had no plans to fix this chronic problem – the next Prime Minister must.

“Less than half of rural areas have adequate 4G coverage, let alone 5G. Rural homes remain even less affordable than those in urban areas, while rural jobs pay less.

“Despite all this, the rural economy was nowhere to be seen in the Levelling Up White Paper.

“The next Prime Minister should have a robust and ambitious plan for the countryside, one that will create jobs and opportunities for everyone. 

“This doesn’t require lots of public money, it simply requires a government that understands the potential rural businesses have to level up the country.

“CLA polling shows that the Tories and Labour are now neck and neck in rural areas, a 7.5 per cent swing since the 2019 general election.

“If the Conservatives wish to prevent the Blue Wall from crumbling further, it must enact a robust plan for the rural economy immediately. 

“Otherwise, the Party risks losing the hearts and minds of 12 million rural voters.”

Glyn Roberts, Farmers Union of Wales president, said:

"We sincerely hope that the UK Government, under new leadership, will reverse decisions and policies that are extremely damaging to UK agriculture and undermine our food security at a time of global food shortages.

"These include the massive cuts to agriculture and rural budgets, international trade policies that undermine our farmers and food producers, and the decision to risk a trade war with the EU by breaking international law."