Charlie Dewhirst, Member of Parliament for Bridlington and the Wolds, joined over 10,000 farmers in Westminster today to protest against Labour’s Family Farm Tax. The rally, one of the largest farming demonstrations in recent years, brought together farmers from our local area and across the country who are deeply concerned about the devastating impact of the tax changes announced in the recent Budget.
Despite promises from the Prime Minister and Environment Secretary during the General Election campaign that there would be no changes to Agricultural Property Relief, now more than 100,000 farms are to be hit with new inheritance tax laws. Labour’s policy will be devastating for family farms and pose a serious risk to domestic food security, food prices, and environmental stewardship.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with local farmers from Bridlington and the Wolds, Charlie Dewhirst MP joined the rally in Westminster which saw tractors on Whitehall, speeches from farmers and rural advocates, and children holding signs pleading with the Chancellor not to take away their farming futures – finishing with a final rallying cry from Jeremy Clarkson.
Farmers at the rally expressed concerns that the tax changes will lead to higher food prices for consumers. Industry leaders, including the Managing Director of Booths supermarket, have warned that these measures could erode domestic food production and increase Britain’s reliance on imports. There has been scepticism about the figures provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who have been accused of grossly underestimating the number of farms affected by Labour’s cruel tax. The National Farmers Union claim that at least 66 percent of farms will face significant financial strain under these changes, as opposed to the 500 farms Defra claims will be affected.
Speaking after the rally, Charlie Dewhirst MP said:
“Labour’s devastating policy is not just an attack on farmers, but on the entire rural community. This ideological decision to target farmers – despite promising not to do so – has the potential to wreck farmer’s lives and the whole industry.
Not only have they underestimated and undervalued the farms affected by this harsh new tax, but the knock-on effects for the whole country could be disastrous.
I will stand with our farmers from Bridlington and the Wolds, and from across the country, to show the Labour Government that they have made the wrong decision, and they must reverse this.”
Those who were unable to make the rally who would still like to show their support for British farmers are urged to sign the petition at stopthefarmtax.com to make their voices heard.
For support on this or any other matter, local people are encouraged to contact Charlie Dewhirst MP by email to: [email protected]
