Now crazy lefties think the countryside's racist - why do they hate England so much?

Well, now I really have seen it all. That's it. I'm done.

The utterly mad latest from the leftie woke brigade is that... wait for it... the countryside, yes the COUNTRYSIDE, is racist. Let's just say that when I read that this morning I almost spat out my coffee. So what is driving today's rather mental accusation?

It's the result of a review on "rural racism" from the University of Leicester's Centre for Hate Studies. The report has highlighted a number of "challenges" faced by those from ethnic minority backgrounds in the countryside. The "overwhelming" whiteness in rural areas apparently causes "discomfort" and a "psychological burden" to people from different minority groups.

Also, apparently, there isn't enough halal food... and our beloved country pubs are "monocultural". I'm sorry, but is that not kind of the point? Even as someone who lives on the edge of the countryside, there's nothing better than leaving behind plastic McDonald's interiors and swapping them for a proper slice of English culture - a cosy country pub that sells a Sunday roast rather than a microwavable ready meal.

The report also said that "most participants felt that racism in rural England is getting worse" as opposed to in cities where there is more diversity.

The participants had poor experiences with people who lived in the countryside, such as "persistent and aggressive staring, hostile body language and deliberate isolation".

They also reported "more overtly threatening behaviours such as name-calling, racial slurs, physical intimidation and threats".

If that's true then I'd be utterly shocked. Unsurprisingly, however, there isn't any actual hard evidence to back this up. Do they have up-to-date stats on police reports of racism in rural areas versus city centres? I won't hold my breath.

In fact The Countryside Alliance took the same issue with the report, which interviewed 115 people for its data. As a participant in the study, The Countryside Alliance disputed the emphasis on rural racism, suggesting rural areas are among the least affected parts of the country.

I won't beat around the bush. Racism is an absolute scourge on society. I utterly hate it and will call it out at every opportunity I get. And I'm all for places being welcoming and open to everyone willing to respect them. I can't imagine there are many who wouldn't be. But all stupid studies like this do is get people's backs up - it does absolutely nothing to help battle racism.

As for more halal meat being needed in the countryside... what I would say about that is that there are many of us who have dietary requirements, be they for religious reasons or otherwise. What we do is adapt. My daughter has a life-threatening allergy to dairy - we often go out to eat, but we go prepared.

This weekend we took our own starter for Sunday lunch for her - and often take a dessert. If the restaurant or otherwise can't cater for her, then that's just the way it is and we're ready.

So yeah: big slow clap to the authors of this report which I'm categorically certain will have the opposite effect than its so-called intention. It will simply build walls where none existed.