Farming kids to write to Keir Starmer this Christmas
Farmer Simon Broad came up with a campaign in which children write to the prime minister about their concerns © Simon Broad This Christmas, Save British Farming is calling on children to write letters to both Santa and Sir Keir Starmer, expressing their hopes and concerns about the future of British farming.
The campaign, led by Save British Farming, aims to deliver the letters to Downing Street on 2 January, sending a message to the Labour government as it prepares to enter the new year.
The plans are for children to send their letters to organiser and farmer Simon Broad (see address below), who will then take the sacks of letters in a tractor, accompanied by six children, to Downing Street.
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“We want children to say whatever they want to say,” said Liz Webster, founder of Save British Farming.
“Ideas like ‘please don’t steal my grandad’s farm,’ ‘it’s our future, we love the animals,’ and ‘the anti-farming policies will mean I don’t have a future in farming,’ have been suggested content for the letters.”
Campaign idea
The idea for the campaign came from Simon Broad, who runs a grass farm and a small suckler herd in Kent.
“I’ve been involved in many of the rallies, and after taking a tractor to London last week, the kids wanted to know how it went,” he said.
“That’s when it hit me – this is about them, and they need to be part of it. I thought of the Christmas letter campaign as a way for them to express their concerns directly.”
Mr Broad hopes the farming community will support the initiative, encouraging families to attend in person.
“It would be great for people to bring their letters to Downing Street and make a day out of it!” he said.
The goal is to make the government listen. “It’s harder to say no to a child than an adult,” said Mr Broad.
“We want the government to hear our voices, and the kids’ letters are a way to do that.”
Initiative
Ms Webster highlighted the importance of the initiative. “We are fighting for our children’s futures,” she said.
“This campaign is an emotional message to deliver to the prime minister at this seasonal time ready for the new year.”
For those unable to attend on 2 January, letters can be sent to Mr Broad at his family farm who will deliver them on the day:
Simon Broad, Hartsland Farm Cottage, Walters Green Road, Penshurst, Kent, TN11 8HD.
Letters must be one sheet of A4 in size.