New Labour's countryside

Michael Woods is Reader in Human Geography at Aberystwyth University and Co-Director of the Wales Rural Observatory. He has undertaken extensive research on rural politics and governance.

• Part one: Contexts and political strategies: New Labour's countryside ~ Michael Woods; Rethinking rural policy under New Labour ~ Neil Ward; Rural governance, devolution and policy delivery ~ Mark Goodwin; New Labour's countryside in international perspective ~ Mark Shucksmith; Part two: The key debates: The foot and mouth crisis ~ Michael Winter; Hunting: New Labour success or New Labour failure? ~ Michael Woods; Planning and development in the countryside ~ Nick Gallent; Countryside access and the 'right to roam' under New Labour: nothing to CRoW about? ~ Gavin Parker; Agricultural policy ~ Alan Greer; Part three: Policies for the rural economy, society and environment: Rural community development and governance ~ Graham Gardner; New Labour, poverty and welfare in rural England ~ Paul Milbourne; Policing policy and policy policing: directions in rural policing under New Labour ~ Richard Yarwood; Twenty-first century employment and training in the countryside? The rural 'New Deal' experience ~ Suzie Watkin and Martin Jones; National Parks and the governance of the rural environment ~ Nicola Thompson; Part four: Conclusion: Beyond New Labour's countryside ~ Michael Woods.

"This is a timely volume from a distinguished group of scholars which focuses on an area of study that is often marginalised......The scope of the book is impressive.....It can be recommneded for the bookshelves of any scholar with an interest in this field and should also be of interest to students and a far wider community of people concerned with UK public policy issues". Political Studies Review