OPINION

       The inheritance tax changes for farmers have sparked major protests (Image: Getty)

       U-turn after U-turn, it seems as though Labour’s damning local election results have given them a much-needed wake up call.

       Firstly, Labour admitted that they were wrong to take vital funding away from farmers. The Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme is a lifeline for many family farms, but Labour cancelled it without warning.

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       They announced their U-turn quietly, permitting some farmers to make applications again. No explanation, no apology.

       Next up is the winter fuel allowance. One of Labour’s first acts upon getting into power was to take money away from vulnerable pensioners. They have finally done the right thing and backtracked.

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       Whether it was the humiliating by-election loss of one of their safest seats or an awkward meeting for the PM on Monday when Labour MPs threatened to rebel, it’s not clear why Keir Starmer has U-turned but thank goodness he has said he will - although we do not yet know whether they will reverse course fully or tweak around the edges.

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       But there’s another mistake Sir Keir should correct: the family farm tax.

       Labour’s plan to slap inheritance tax on family farms and small rural businesses is a raid on generations of hard work and a threat to our nation’s food security.

       These businesses are the beating heart of our rural communities and are at risk of going bust.

       The human cost of this policy is also becoming tragically clear as farmers ask whether their families can afford for them to live beyond the tax change.

       Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins (Image: Getty)

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       We know that the Environment Secretary stubbornly refuses to acknowledge the human costs of this policy. This is his legacy.

       But now Labour has U-turned on the winter fuel allowance, he must now do his job and insist that the family farm tax is scrapped.

       The next Conservative government will axe the family farm tax and the family business tax that will have the same disastrous effects for family businesses in all sectors across the country.

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       Keir Starmer battling Rachel Reeves over ending two-child benefit cap in new u-turn

       56 Comments

       Sir Keir Starmer faces new fiasco after winter fuel payments U-turn

       72 Comments

       Keir Starmer issued chilling warning over Angela Rayner's tax plans

       62 Comments

       Keir Starmer issued 'hell to pay' warning if Labour doesn't fix key policy

       244 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       59 Comments

       Martin Lewis pushes for Winter Fuel Payment to pensioners on these council tax bands

       11 Comments

       Angela Rayner declares war on Rachel Reeves in Sky interview demanding benefit U-turns

       101 Comments

       MPs demand delay to Inheritance Tax hike for farmers amid havoc warning

       2 Comments

       Keir Starmer confirms huge winter fuel payment U-turn in bombshell PMQs clash

       1404 Comments

       Labour's winter fuel u-turn shows OAPs were right to feel 'betrayed'

       2 Comments

       Keir Starmer's U-turns spark ￡30bn Rachel Reeves tax raid fears

       9 Comments

       Unclear Keir Starmer has undermined his own cruel policy justification before our eyes

       13 Comments

       Pensioners want clarity on Keir Starmer's 'screeching' winter fuel payment U-turn

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       Pensioners want clarity on Keir Starmer's 'screeching' winter fuel payment U-turn

       53 Comments

       Martin Lewis gives verdict on Starmer's winter fuel payment U-turn with 2 big problems

       141 Comments

       Nigel Farage says Reform is now party of 'working people' with huge benefits announcement

       1166 Comments

       Furious farmers slam Labour's 'lack of transparency' over family farm tax

       11 Comments

       Angela Rayner demands middle class families lose key benefit in leaked memo

       73 Comments

       Rachel Reeves is reversing her worst decision - here's seven more errors she must undo NOW

       158 Comments

       Labour civil war as Rachel Reeves' allies accuse Angela Rayner of getting maths wrong

       103 Comments

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       148 Comments

       Keir Starmer battling Rachel Reeves over ending two-child benefit cap in new u-turn

       56 Comments

       Sir Keir Starmer faces new fiasco after winter fuel payments U-turn

       72 Comments

       Keir Starmer issued chilling warning over Angela Rayner's tax plans

       62 Comments

       Keir Starmer issued 'hell to pay' warning if Labour doesn't fix key policy

       244 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       59 Comments

       Martin Lewis pushes for Winter Fuel Payment to pensioners on these council tax bands

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       If this Labour government doesn’t listen to rural communities and axe the tax, then Labour MPs representing rural areas must stand up for their constituents, threaten to rebel and not toe the party line.

       The threat of electoral defeat or rebellion seem to be the only things that change this Prime Minister’s mind.

       Victoria Atkins is the shadow environment secretary