Policy Win: Combating Rural Isolationism
I discuss my successful campaign for greater bus services in the local rural community.
Rural isolationism is a real issue. Yes, major cities like London and Birmingham, tend to be well connected. Having now lived in both London and Birmingham I can attest to that. Children can get to school, the elderly can get to the shops, people can get about with relative ease, for the most part.
The same cannot be said however, for more rural communities. Having also lived in rural communities, I can attest to this as well. If you live in a rural village in the UK and you don't have a car, or cannot drive for whatever reason - merely functioning can be very difficult, near impossible even. Getting to the shops, getting to work, getting to school. These simple bedrocks of existence can all become a great challenge.
Obviously rural public transport links vary greatly depending on what village you are in, or what local authority you are a part of. Of course some villages are served by busses already - and that’s great.
Nonetheless, years of austerity have led to the trimming of budgets and the decline in local bus routes. Since 2010, up to half of local bus routes have been cut, leading to the inevitable increase in isolation for people in rural villages who were reliant on these routes.
Reflecting on this - I thought about my home village. I thought about how there is no bus route through it, or even through any of the surrounding villages. I thought about the elderly residents, or those who cannot drive for whatever reason, who are therefore oftentimes isolated. I thought especially of the residents of the villages’ care home, who equally oftentimes have no way to get out. And all of this is before considering those who may wish to use public transport more to do their bit for the environment.
As a brief aside, I want to preface the following by making clear I do not claim to take credit for this following positive change. I'm merely citing the facts. This likely would have happened without me.
That being said, after ruminating on the rural isolation many in my community felt - I decided to contact some local councillors to see if they could do anything to campaign for better public transport links to mine and surrounding villages. They were largely unhelpful, although I understand there is not much a councillor can do at the best of times.
I subsequently decided to contact the local MP, Victoria Prentis, who also happens to be in Rishi Sunak's cabinet, serving as Attorney General. Victoria - unsurprisingly, championed this issue and took it to the local council. And as a result (and in all fairness due to the likely hard work of the county council), my village and the surrounding villages will now, or as of February/March 2024 be served by a new bus route, and will get up to five busses a day.
I think this is a perfect example of the positive impact politics can have on people's lives. The political system is often painfully ineffective and causes much destruction. But in this case, I rose a concern with my MP about rural isolationism, and due to her campaigning, and the likely hard work of people at the local authority (again- not me)- these local villages will now have bus routes.
In response to the good news, Victoria said:
I am delighted by the news that Oxfordshire County Council are committed to reintroducing a bus service to the local area from spring next year which I know will come as welcome news to residents.
This development will have an incredibly tangible impact on the lives of locals, especially those who are elderly (or cannot drive) and are isolated. Isolation can make a life miserable. But thanks to this new bus route, which will come into action in the Spring, isolated villagers will now be able to get the bus into town.
It may seem like a very simple and inconsequential development, but it will make a big difference to these isolated people.
Please also take this as your reminder to consider using your local bus, if you are lucky enough to have one. New bus routes like the one discussed, or already existing bus routes, will only survive if enough people use them. Not only can you save some money and help the environment by taking the bus, but you are helping fight rural isolationism.
In sum, I think this is the perfect example of how the political system can make people's lives better, when functioning as it should. Thanks to the hard work of people like Victoria, many lives will become that bit better. And a lot less isolated. I would also say if you have an issue or concern about your local community - don’t be afraid to contact your councillor or MP. You never know what could happen as a result.