Rural Labour MPs break ranks over Reeves's inheritance tax raid - 'We need reassurance!'
Jonathan Portes argues that the tax system is still 'pretty generous'
GB NEWS
A group of rural Labour MPs have broken ranks to voice concern about Rachel Reeves's decision to end death duty exemptions for farmers.
Terry Jermy, who defeated ex-Prime Minister Liz Truss on July 4, demanded "reassurance" from the Chancellor over her sums.
He said: "I want the Government to provide greater clarity on the proposals to reassure farmers, who have already endured so many challenges and uncertainty over many years."
Rossendale & Darwen MP Andy MacNae even argued it was unclear whether the current proposals to hit estates worth over £1million with a 20 per cent inheritance tax would protect family farms.
Steve Witherden, Labour MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, later called on the Treasury to produce its modelling on the impact on family farms "so everyone knows where they stand".
All three Labour MPs will know how significant their respective rural communities will prove in the next general election.
Jermy defeated Truss by just 630 ballots, with Reform UK receiving 9,958 votes.
Witherden saw off Reform UK's Oliver Lewis by 3,815 votes, while incumbent Tory Craig Williams slumping into a distant third.
Meanwhile, McNae's majority was somewhat larger at 5,628.
However, analysis has shown Labour could lose up to 59 seats over the farming row as dozens were identified as either rural or semi-rural.
Starmer defends National Insurance raid on businesses
The Prime Minister has rallied behind the tax hike on businesses PA / GETTY Sir Keir Starmer has mounted a robust defence of the Government's National Insurance hike, declaring he is "absolutely confident" in the Chancellor's financial plans despite mounting pressure from major supermarkets, including Sainsbury's, Tesco and Asda.
Speaking at the G20 summit in Brazil, the Prime Minister insisted the measures were necessary to stabilise the economy and address a £22billion deficit.
Starmer took aim at the previous Conservative administration, stating: "The reason we got into such a mess over the last 14 years is because the last Government refused to take a single difficult decision."
He also criticised Tory leader Kemi Badenoch for wanting "all the benefits of investment in public services" without raising funds to pay for it.
"We've ended that, we've turned the page," Starmer declared, emphasising his commitment to the controversial fiscal measures.
'Labour out to shore up that urban vote' Aled Thomas hits out at Starmer descend on London to protest
Labour is "heading for a class war like we had with Margaret Thatcher," Welsh chairman of the Conservative Rural Forum, Aled Thomas has claimed.
His comments come as farmers descend on London to protest against Labour's controversial inheritance tax changes.
Keir Starmer responds to 12-year-old who told GB News he fears Labour robbing his farming ‘dream’
Sir Keir Starmer has responded to concerns raised by a 12-year-old aspiring farmer who fears his dreams of following in his family's agricultural footsteps could be dashed by proposed inheritance tax changes.
Henry Bailye appeared on GB News alongside his father Clive ahead of Tuesday's farmers' protest in London, where he made an emotional plea to the Government.
He said: "It makes me feel disappointed in the Government because they're taking away something that me and I'm guessing all of my generation opportunities to become farmers when they're older."
He added: "Think about how this affects my generation and how this affects their future of doing something they've dreamed about for years."
WATCH: Keir Starmer addresses press at G20 summit
Labour INSISTS tractor tax raid will not affect ‘majority of farmers’
This is the truth about Labour's Budget and farmers. pic.twitter.com/YZTnty96Xt
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) November 19, 2024
Nigel Farage accuses London elites of hating 'white' rural England'
Nigel Farage at the farmer's protest todau
PA
Nigel Farage has accused London elites of "hating rural England" as he joined farmers for a major protest in the capital today.
"Well, I think north London hates rural England," the Reform UK leader told The Daily T podcast. "They think they’re too white. Things like that.
"Net zero, of course, being pushed upon them. [They are] just different people.
"There’s a complete disconnect, I think, between town and city in the most extraordinary way."
ICYMI: Farmers applaud as Farage joins protest against 'destructive' tax raid - 'Sort them out, Nigel!'
Farmers have been spotted cheering and applauding Nigel Farage as the Reform UK leader joined protesters in Whitehall.
Demonstrators were heard shouting: "Go on, Nigel." Another added: "Sort them out, Nigel."
Farage proceeded to speak to disgruntled farmers about the pressures being exerted on agricultural communities by Rachel Reeves' tax grab.
The Reform UK leader has been critical of Reeves over her decision since the Chancellor unveiled her maiden Budget last month.
Speaking just days before the protest, Farage warned: "Their inheritance tax raid will destroy rural communities."
In a statement published as farmers arrived in London, Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe added: "As one of the three farming MPs, I am perhaps more qualified to say this than most on an important day.
"This urban Labour Party understands NOTHING about British farming - their cruel assault on British family farms will decimate a sector already on its knees."
‘My first job was on a farm!’ Keir Starmer hits back at concerns Labour is ‘too urban’ as he makes ‘point’ to farmers
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted his party is not “too urban” to understand the concerns of farmers.
Thousands working in the agricultural sector have descended on London today to voice their dismay at Labour’s inheritance tax changes.
Speaking to GB News, the Prime Minister responded to Labour peer Baroness Mallalieu saying her own party’s inheritance tax raid shows its leaders are out of touch with the concerns of rural communities.
“My first job was on a farm”, Starmer hit back.
“I grew up on the countryside. All my entire family live in the countryside and we are a rural family. I am the only one that lives in the city.
“I do get it and that’s why I am able to say with confidence that the threshold for a typical case of £3 million is a very high threshold.
“Therefore, the vast majority of farms will be unaffected. I also do know it matters to rural communities that we are investing in their NHS, they rely on it just as much as anybody a town or city.
“It matters that their schools are fit for children and it matters hugely that there is enough housing.”
'Rural Britain has descended on the capital,' says GB News reporter Will Hollis
Rural Britain has descended on the capital.
The few tractors that have come into the city circle the statue of Winston Churchil that towers above the road.
The blaring horns and megaphones of their supporters echo across the historic centre of the UK.
Police on motorcycles weave between the stuck traffic.
Hundreds of farmers are filling the streets as they abandon buses boarded before first light.
They’re customary tweed jackets blurring between individual bodies, building into a shuffling mass of food producers.
A few streets away, ten thousand farmers have already gathered. Tourists squeeze through the gaps.
Badenoch under-fire over Brexit trade deals after slamming Starmer
Kemi Badenoch has been criticised after taking aim at Sir Keir Starmer over Labour's treatment of farmers.
Labour took aim at the Leader of the Opposition for her role in negotiating free trade deals with Australia and New Zealand.
Farmers were among those most dismayed about the arrangements, with British markets being opened up to cheaper goods from Oceania.
A Labour Party spokesman said: “Let us not forget that it was Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives that forced over twelve thousand farmers and agricultural businesses out of business.
“They sold farmers out in trade deals, left them facing spiralling energy bills and failed to spend £300million earmarked for farmers – leaving them out of pocket as the money sat idly in the Treasury’s coffers.
“This Labour Government’s commitment to British farmers remains steadfast because food security is national security. We are investing £5billion into farming over the next two years – the largest amount ever directed towards sustainable food production in our country’s history.”
Farmers cheer as Badenoch vows to reverse Labour's tax raid - 'We are working for you!'
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has been cheered by farmers after vowing to reverse Labour's inheritance tax raid.
Speaking to a crowd of protesters in London, Badenoch said: "Cruel, unfair and will destroy family farming as we know it".
She added: "That is why we, at the first opportunity, will reverse the family farms tax."
"We are the team that are working for you. A lot of people think that farming is just a business - it is not just a business. It is a way of life, it's about family, it's about the environment, it is about our food.
"We cannot survive without you. I want you to know that we have your backs."
Clarkson blasts BBC for becoming 'Starmer's mouthpiece' while addressing 10,000 farmers in Westminster
Ex-Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson has blasted the BBC for becoming a "mouthpiece" of Sir Keir Starmer's Government after Labour launched its inheritance tax raid.
Addressing 10,000 farmers in Whitehall, Clarkson asked: “Since when did the BBC become the mouthpiece of this infernal Government?"
He added: "There’s very little money in as you know and then we got the Budget, now I know a lot of people all across the country in all walks of life took a bit of a kick on the shin with that budget.
"You lot got a knee in the nuts! And a light hammer blow to the back of the head."
Davey slams Starmer for 'cruel' tax raid after taking swipe at 'botched' Brexit deals
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has taken a swipe at Sir Keir Starmer's Government over Rachel Reeves' "cruel" and "stupid" inheritance tax raid.
Speaking in Westminster, Davey said: "They just don’t seem to understand what farmers are up against, or how important you are to our economy, to our society, and to our rural communities.
“Because if they did understand, there’s no way they would be hitting you with this outrageous, unfair new tax on family farms.”
Attacking the Tories, Davey added: “Farmers are fed up with being let down and taken for granted – after years of a Conservative Government that simply didn’t care about you.
“The botched trade deals signed by the last Conservative Government make it harder for British farmers to sell to Europe, while making it easier for Australian and New Zealand farmers to undercut you on animal welfare and environmental standards.”
ICYMI: Furious farmers descend on Westminster as Reeves claims ‘demented’ inheritance tax raid will fund NHS
Rachel Reeves has claimed her inheritance tax raid on farmers will fund the NHS as protesters descend on London.
The Chancellor, who ended agricultural death duty exemptions in her maiden Budget last month, dug her heels in as ex-Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson joins farmers in the capital.
She will now force farms worth more than £1million to face a 20 per cent inheritance tax levy.
Reeves, who is under fire over the accuracy of her seemingly coveted CV, said that Sir Keir Starmer's Government had “taken difficult decisions” to fill funding gaps.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed added: “The reforms to agricultural property relief ensure that wealthier estates and the most valuable farms pay their fair share to invest in our schools and health services that farmers and families in rural communities rely on.”
Despite Labour defending the policy, the National Farmers’ Union has 1,800 members registered to lobby their local MPs in person in Westminster, while a separate protest has 15,000 people registered to attend a rally at Richmond Terrace.
Speaking just hours before today’s protest, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Good luck to everyone protesting today against Labour’s demented family farm tax.
"Farmers work all hours and all year round to feed this country. We should be doing more to champion British food and keep our farmers on the land.
"Instead Reeves is clobbering British agriculture with a tax that is spiteful and punitive and economically disastrous. End it now."
WATCH NOW: Andrew Lloyd Webber issues stark warning as farmers' protest Labour's death duty raid
Andrew Lloyd Webber has spoken to GB News from the farmers’ protest in London, hitting out at the “confused” Government for its inheritance tax changes.
The world-renowned composer told Bev Turner he has worked on a farm for 40 years himself but his decision to attend today’s Westminster rally was “not about him”.
The West End stalwart hit out on GB News about the “myth” that farmers are “swimming in cash” as he called for the Labour Government to reconsider its position.
Atkins brands Starmer 'farmer harmer' in rallying cry outside Parliament
PA
Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins has branded Sir Keir Starmer a "farmer harmer" after Chancellor Rachel Reeves ended agricultural inheritance tax exemptions.
Speaking on College Green, Atkins said: “They have reduced the payments that our farmers rely on, which means I have tenant farmers saying to me that next year they don’t know if they can pay their rent.”
She added: “What we are doing today ladies and gentleman, is putting our boots on, standing with our farmers and saying to farmer garner Starmer that it’s not good enough.”
Jeremy Clarkson arrives in London as he joins forces with furious farmers in 'tractor tax' protest
Jeremy Clarkson, 64, has been pictured arriving in London to join thousands of other farmers protesting the government's so-called "tractor tax".
The Clarkson's Farm star, who is also recovering from a recent heart operation, has been a vocal opponent of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget ever since she unveiled its measures last month.
Clarkson joins the thousands of farmers who are descending on Westminster to protest against Labour's controversial inheritance tax changes, with up to 40,000 people expected to join the demonstrations.
Starmer hit by revolt from within own ranks as Scottish Labour vows to REIMPOSE Winter Fuel Payments
Scottish Labour has pledged to bring back the winter fuel payment for all pensioners north of the border in a blow to Sir Keir Starmer.
Anas Sarwar's party has made the pledge to bring the policy back if they win the 2026 Holyrood election.
It comes after the Starmer announced the pensioner perk would only be available to those in receipt of pension credit or other benefits, just weeks after taking office.
Badenoch joins farmers as top Tories warn Starmer is 'farmer harmer'
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has been snapped alongside farmers protesting Labour's inheritance tax raid.
The Leader of the Opposition was spotted alongside Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins and Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel.
Most senior Tories were clutching placards opposing the "family farm tax".
However, Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary Helen Whately's sign accused the Prime Minister of being a "farmer harmer".
'No food, no future!' Protesters hold up placards opposing Reeves' tractor tax grab
GB NEWS
Hundreds of farmers have descended on Whitehall today in protest against Rachel Reeves' inheritance tax grab.
Protesters were seen holding up several placards, including: "Fight the tax, save our farms."
Another sign said: "Back a farmer, not Starmer". A third warned: "No farmers, no food, no future."
NFU chief receives three cheers as Bradshaw bemoans 'horrendous' tax
GETTY/PA
National Farmers' Union boss Tom Bradshaw has received three cheers after opening a mass lobby event against Labour's inheritance tax raid in Westminster.
Addressing hundreds of farmers on Tuesday, Bradshaw said: "We know that horrendous pressure this is putting on the older generation of farmers, who have given everything to provide your food for this country.
"The human impact of this policy is simply not acceptable.”
He also said the policy was “kicking the legs out of food security”.
Reform UK quartet gather in Westminster ahead of farmers protest
Reform UK MPs gathering in Westminster
GETTY
Reform UK MPs have started to gather in Westminster to protest against Labour's inheritance tax raid on farmers.
James McMurdock, Richard Tice, Lee Anderson and Rupert Lowe were snapped as farmers started to arrive at Richmond Terrace.
As many as 15,000 people could attend the rally today, with 1,500 NFU members registered to lobby their local MPs.
Atkins slams 'economically illiterate' Labour after Reeves claims inheritance tax raid will fund NHS
'Economically illiterate! We know this is going to raise a fraction of what we put into the NHS.
— GB News (@GBNEWS) November 19, 2024
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Victoria Atkins, criticises Labour's claim that inheritance tax changes are being made to fund the NHS. pic.twitter.com/pSRwvbc26l
Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins has slammed Labour as "economically illiterate" after Chancellor Rachel Reeves claimed her inheritance tax raid will fund the NHS.
Speaking to GB News, Atkins said: "This claim that Labour has come up with today ... is economically illiterate.
"We know this is going to raise a fraction of what, in fact, we put into the NHS."
'Out of touch!' Essex Police chief faces backlash over 'shocking' Allison Pearson probe
The policing chief at the heart of the Allison Pearson row has come under fire after defending Essex Police's decision to investigate the journalist.
Roger Hirst, the Police & Crime Commissioner for Essex, was labelled "out of touch in every way" after he claimed officers would not ignore alleged crimes "just because it's politically sensitive".
Free Speech Union chief Toby Young also said it "may shock" residents to learn that Hirst was a Conservative.
He added: "You would have thought the fact that NCHIs [non-crime hate incidents] have been recorded against so many senior Conservative politicians, including an ex-Home Secretary, a former vice-chairman of the party and the deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives, would be a wake-up call.
"But apparently not. I guess we'll have to wait until Roger Hirst has an NCHI recorded against him for the penny to finally drop."
Reeves receives damning letter after retail giants warn job losses 'inevitable' after Budget
More than 70 of Britain's largest retailers have warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that her National Insurance hike will lead to job losses and inevitable price increases across the high street.
The retailers claim that a combination of new costs, including increased employers' National Insurance, higher minimum wage requirements and new packaging levies, could burden the industry with up to £7bn in additional annual expenses.
Major chains including Aldi, Lidl, Boots, Ocado, Morrisons, Greggs and JD Sports signed the open letter despite reported attempts by the Treasury to discourage them from doing so.
Farage fumes against ECHR after Strasbourg blocks Britain from deporting paedophile convicted of sexual assault
The ECHR has stopped Britain from deporting a paedophile convicted of sexual assault.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) November 18, 2024
This is why we must leave it. pic.twitter.com/vqRR1L42uX
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has fumed against the European Convention on Human Rights after Strasbourg blocked Britain from deporting a paedophile convicted of sexual assault.
Farage, who is now hoping to win over support for leaving the court, fumed after a man in his early 50s from the Democratic Republic of Congo was jailed for three years in 2020 for a string of “appalling” offences.
He said: "If you're not convinced by this, nothing will ever convince you."
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