Elaine Loughlin: A new rural political party cannot be polarised 

Michael Fitzmaurice said he and a group of local councillors and others, who he does not want to name at this point, are working on policy documents across agriculture, housing, transport, and health.

Trying to package rural Ireland into one neat little box will fail and deep down those vying to establish a rural party must know that.

Fierce debate around proposed nature restoration laws has prompted many both inside and outside Leinster House to again call for a party that will represent rural issues, rural priorities, and rural people.