Tom Bradshaw to face opposition for NFU presidency

Tom Bradshaw will face opposition for the NFU presidency in the upcoming elections from his deputy David Exwood.

Bradshaw has announced he will be seeking a second term as leader of the farming union, but unlike two years ago he will not be running unopposed.

His tenure as leader of the union has been blighted by a long-running conflict with the government over its proposed changes to farming Inheritance Tax rules. 

In his personal statement he said that being president “during an incredibly challenging and highly pressurised period has been a great honour”.

“Throughout this time the NFU has always remained solutions-focused and I have tried to lead the organisation with honesty, integrity and visibility,” he added.

He pointed to work done under his leadership including changes made to the highly controversial Inheritance Tax policy at the end of last year, which has given the NFU an “enhanced reputation across Whitehall which gives me confidence for the future”.

“At a time of geopolitical volatility, politicians need to recognise the strategic importance of farming and growing and deliver on the words ‘food security is national security’,” he added.

Read more: How NFU president Tom Bradshaw took over the baton from Minette Batters

Bradshaw took over the role from long-standing leader Minette Batters two years ago, having served previously as vice and then deputy president.

Deputy and vice president Exwood is running for both president and deputy president this year. He said in his personal statement that he had a “clear ambition to lead the organisation and the industry now or in the future”.

“I have enjoyed and been immensely proud to serve as vice and deputy president over the last four years and my strong record on building relationships, delivering in my policy areas and achieving as part of the NFU team is why I’m standing for election again,” he said.

Exwood added: “Britain’s farmers are some of the best in the world and I want to help them grow more food, with less impact and have younger farmers at the forefront.”