NFU elections: One new face at the top table

Essex arable farmer Tom Bradshaw has been elected deputy president of the NFU.

Mr Bradshaw, the current vice-president of the union, saw off tough competition from NFU Cymru president John Davies, who was bidding to cross the border and take on the role in England and Wales.

BREAKING: Tom Bradshaw @ProagriLtd has been elected as NFU Deputy President for 2022 – 2024. pic.twitter.com/klUz9nx0Vp

— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) February 23, 2022

Mr Bradshaw has represented the union from local branch chairman through to chairman of the National Combinable Crops Board.

He takes over from Hertfordshire farmer Stuart Roberts, who announced in October he was stepping down.

See also: NFU president criticises ‘contradictory’ farm policy

Wiltshire farmer Minette Batters stood unchallenged for her position as president and she was re-elected for a further two years after securing the necessary 75% of the council’s vote.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Mr Bradshaw. “We’ve got a huge amount of work to do. We know there’s some critical policy areas that really are impacting our members.

“Every day, it’s affecting their businesses and we’ve just go to sort it out. We need the government to understand the impact that they are having on-farm, with policy that is just unworkable.

“We look forward to trying to get a resolution which works for farming and the environment, and does lead to that sustainable intensification which is where we’ve got to hit the sweet spot.”

Exwood wins

Meanwhile, David Exwood, NFU South East regional board chairman, a beef and arable farmer who farms in Horsham, West Sussex, won the three-way battle for vice-president.

He beat competition from John Davies, the former president of NFU Cymru and a beef and sheep farmer from Powys, and Thomas Wornham, NFU National Poultry Board chairman who farms in Hertfordshire.

Mr Exwood said: “I’m honoured to be elected. There’s so much work to do, but I think we’ll make a great team and I look forward to getting down and working with them.”

Mrs Batters said: “I have worked with Tom for two years and I am so thrilled that he is deputy president now. And David and I have worked together for a long time, so I know he’ll be a fantastic addition to the team.”

Officeholder elections are voted on by the NFU’s “electoral college”, which consists of county chairmen and women, council delegates and the Welsh representatives.

Votes are weighted according to the latest membership income by county.