OPINION

       We must continue to fight for farmers (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

       Not a day passes without the headlines being dominated by the latest Government crisis. Record numbers of illegal migrants, striking doctors, increasing inflation, rising unemployment figures and countless U-turns has shown that Keir Starmer lacks the grip and gumption to run the country. Tempting as it is to continually highlight the track-record of this most dangerous and damaging government, we must not forget the plight of our farmers and their ongoing fight against the changes outlined in the Budget to inheritance tax.

       Dubbed the ‘Family Farms Tax’ – this new policy would see farming families ripped apart by the application of Inheritance Tax at the rate of 20% on farms worth more than ￡1million. This will make it financially punishing, if not impossible, for farmers to pass on land to their children as family farms tend to be asset rich, but cash poor. To stump up the cash for our increasingly greedy government, the land would have to be sold to pay the tax.

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       The Government remains stoic in its view that three quarters of farmers will pay nothing, yet these figures remain robustly contested by campaigners and those who will be affected by the changes. I know who I believe.

       The Daily Express’s Crusade to Save Britain’s Family Farms remains more important than ever. This newspaper continues to back British farmers and raise awareness of the damage that will be caused if this tax is introduced in April next year.

       Jeremy Clarkson remains the greatest voice for British farming and has done more to highlight the realities facing farmers than most politicians through his excellent ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ television programme. And to their credit, the Conservatives have been vocal in their condemnation of the tax.

       Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith also represents the rural constituency of Arundel and the South Downs – he tells me that his farming constituents are still trying to come to terms with this new policy.

       “Representing a rural constituency, I recently met with farmers in the South Downs and saw just how desperate family farmers are,” he explains. “Despite promising not to at the election, Labour have thrown a lifetime’s work for many into worrying uncertainty.

       “Conservatives will reverse this measure on taking office, but that may be too late for many. The Government must U-turn now.”

       The impact of this proposed tax also threatens our nation’s food security. If farms are sold to pay the levy, then there is no guarantee that whoever buys them will continue to produce food. We currently import a third to just under half of all food eaten in this country which is worrying given the uncertain geo-political climate that exists.

       Forcing farmers to sell their farms would only see this figure increase and make the UK more reliant on other countries around the world. As a nation it is imperative that we can feed ourselves.

       These arguments have been well made over the last few months, but it is vital that we continue to make them to support our farmers. But the greatest injustice is how this policy is seeing farmers choosing to end their lives.

       In May, Sheffield Coroner’s Court recorded a verdict of suicide on the death of Yorkshire farmer John Charlesworth.

       The inquest heard from his son that his Dad was worrying about looming changes to inheritance tax and wanted to “beat” the Government’s proposals and “save the farm for future generations”.

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       The Farmer’s Guardian recently reported the tragic case of a farmer in Glamorgan who was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the budget. He declined all treatment as he was so concerned about the implications of the inheritance tax on his farm and wanted to ensure that he died before the changes are implemented next April. The man has sadly died.

       When Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins highlighted reports in Parliament about farmers taking their lives, she was accused of seeking to “politicise personal tragedy” by Environment Secretary Steve Reed. How dare he?

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       Rachel Reeves claws back ￡2.2bn in just three months from Britain's 'most hated tax'

       161 Comments

       Rachel Reeves has 'made one huge mistake' - and 'now we have the proof'

       169 Comments

       Rachel Reeves 'considering tax raid' on pensioners after winter fuel U-turn

       978 Comments

       Labour 'plots higher water bills for middle class families'

       83 Comments

       Warning lights flashing red on UK economy and it's all on woeful Rachel Reeves's watch

       313 Comments

       Reform voters want Farage to give UK 'full-blown factory reset'

       317 Comments

       Raise personal tax allowance to ￡15,597 major update as new push starts

       15 Comments

       Labour have sat on their hands for 14 years - and their latest policy proves it

       9 Comments

       Labour is in trouble in key areas just one year since election

       41 Comments

       Rachel Reeves just said the most absurd thing ever - now Labour risks economic suicide

       622 Comments

       MP who humiliated Rachel Reeves by backing Express over WFP cash suspended by Labour

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       1 Comments

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       Comments

       Labour's 'full-blown assault on rural Britain' slammed amid Reeves's inheritance tax raid

       34 Comments

       Labour accused of new 'outright attack on rural Britain'

       91 Comments

       Rachel Reeves 'deaf and blind' to impact of farming inheritance tax raid

       31 Comments

       Rachel Reeves finding out hard way her meal ticket won't solve everything - here's why

       1 Comments

       Keir Starmer is stuck in a doom loop - and he's set to make biggest betrayal yet

       34 Comments

       Labour lives in fantasy bubble and can't see it's making mistakes of 1970s

       60 Comments

       Rachel Reeves claws back ￡2.2bn in just three months from Britain's 'most hated tax'

       161 Comments

       Rachel Reeves has 'made one huge mistake' - and 'now we have the proof'

       169 Comments

       Rachel Reeves 'considering tax raid' on pensioners after winter fuel U-turn

       978 Comments

       Labour 'plots higher water bills for middle class families'

       83 Comments

       Warning lights flashing red on UK economy and it's all on woeful Rachel Reeves's watch

       313 Comments

       Reform voters want Farage to give UK 'full-blown factory reset'

       317 Comments

       Raise personal tax allowance to ￡15,597 major update as new push starts

       15 Comments

       Labour have sat on their hands for 14 years - and their latest policy proves it

       9 Comments

       Labour is in trouble in key areas just one year since election

       41 Comments

       Rachel Reeves just said the most absurd thing ever - now Labour risks economic suicide

       622 Comments

       MP who humiliated Rachel Reeves by backing Express over WFP cash suspended by Labour

       21 Comments

       Rachel Reeves given 'bad' warning as Budget pressure mounts

       1 Comments

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       17 Comments

       Labour considers handing parents ￡3,514 benefits windfall with end of two-child cap

       Comments

       Labour's 'full-blown assault on rural Britain' slammed amid Reeves's inheritance tax raid

       34 Comments

       Labour accused of new 'outright attack on rural Britain'

       91 Comments

       Rachel Reeves 'deaf and blind' to impact of farming inheritance tax raid

       31 Comments

       Rachel Reeves finding out hard way her meal ticket won't solve everything - here's why

       1 Comments

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       34 Comments

       Labour lives in fantasy bubble and can't see it's making mistakes of 1970s

       60 Comments

       Rachel Reeves claws back ￡2.2bn in just three months from Britain's 'most hated tax'

       161 Comments

       Rachel Reeves has 'made one huge mistake' - and 'now we have the proof'

       169 Comments

       Rachel Reeves 'considering tax raid' on pensioners after winter fuel U-turn

       978 Comments

       Labour 'plots higher water bills for middle class families'

       83 Comments

       Warning lights flashing red on UK economy and it's all on woeful Rachel Reeves's watch

       313 Comments

       Reform voters want Farage to give UK 'full-blown factory reset'

       317 Comments

       Raise personal tax allowance to ￡15,597 major update as new push starts

       15 Comments

       When a proposed policy like this is resulting in the loss of human life, it needs to be stopped. We must continue to fight for this cause as it is at risk of getting dwarfed by the daily noise generated by this government and its climate of chaos.

       No less than 81 Labour MPs represent significant rural constituencies in the UK. They need to be left in no doubt that if they do not back our farmers and rebel against this levy, they will lose their jobs at the next election.

       If this tax is implemented, then Britain’s farms and rural communities will be changed forever and beyond recognition – this is not something we can ever allow to happen.

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