Grassroots issues still key factor for NFUS future

By The Newsroom
Published 30th Jan 2017, 09:38 BST
Updated 30th Jan 2017, 09:45 BST
Ruth Davidson and Nicola Sturgeon are both attending the NFU Scotland annual meeting. Picture: Toby WilliamsRuth Davidson and Nicola Sturgeon are both attending the NFU Scotland annual meeting. Picture: Toby Williams
Ruth Davidson and Nicola Sturgeon are both attending the NFU Scotland annual meeting. Picture: Toby Williams

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

A week today, several hundred farmers will arrive in Glasgow for what looks set to be one of the most exciting and eagerly anticipated annual general meetings NFU Scotland has ever held.

For not only is there an all-or-nothing tussle between the three members of the current presidential team for the top position, there is also a ding-dong battle between three new candidates for the two vice-presidential posts.

And if this wasn’t enough to fuel anticipation at the two-day event, with Brexit acting as a lightning conductor, the highly charged political scene has also seen Scotland’s leading politicians queuing up to get a slot in the conference timetable.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Not only will the event see Fergus Ewing take his first stab at the conference’s traditional address from the rural economy cabinet secretary, but First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson will also be there to battle for hearts and minds.

Read More
Politicians woo farming lobby ahead of Brexit trigger

So, the fiercely contested election, the politically charged atmosphere together with the big city setting is likely to see some real fireworks, some old fashioned razzamatazz and a cart-load of media attention thrust upon what, to all intents and purposes, appears to be an organisation in rude health and ready to do battle.

And with such vigorous competition to lead the union – from candidates with so much to offer – there can be no doubting the pre-eminent strength of the union as the voice of Scottish farming.

200 Voices: find out more about the people who have shaped Scotland

But take a step or two back from the big city and this picture of challenge and exhilaration and perhaps compare and contrast it with the not-so-heady ambience encountered recently in the back room of an NFU Mutual office on the edge of an industrial estate – where a handful of NFUS members came together to discuss local matters under the unforgiving glare of fluorescent strip lights.

No names, no pack drill – for the agenda is probably the same at many union