Was there a rural rebellion? Labour and the countryside vote in the 2001 general election

Countryside campaigners provided some of the most vocal opposition to Labour during its first term of office, leading to widespread anticipation that Labour would suffer a 'rural backlash' in the 200 I election. This article examinest he results of the general election in rural constituencies affected by four of the key issues emphasized by countryside campaigners - hunting, agricultural recession, foot and mouth disease and fuel prices- and discusses the impact of any protest vote on levels of Labour support. It argues that Labour avoided the large-scaleloss of its rural seats because of the relatively small number of militantrural protesterst, he dissipated nature of rural issues and a polarization of the electorate with in rural areas.