The future of farmers across York will be the focus of a major Parliamentary vote tomorrow (Wednesday) in an effort to overturn Labour’s vindictive Family Farm Tax. Despite Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Environment Secretary Steve Reed previously promising to protect farmers, under Government proposals more than 100,000 farms across the country will be affected by new inheritance tax laws. The tax will be devastating for family farms and pose a serious risk to domestic food security and food prices.
The Conservative Party has set up a petition at stopthefarmtax.com for people to back British farming and oppose the new tax and this week, the Conservatives will force a vote and ask Labour MPs whether they will take the chance to back British farmers.
An Opposition Day Debate will discuss the Family Farm Tax and give all MPs, including Labour MPs, the chance to say no to the Government’s cruel plans. Crucially this vote will be just on the farm tax so Labour MPs cannot claim that they merely had to support the overall budget.
Among those urging everyone to vote against the tax is York Conservative Group Leader Cllr Chris Steward who says Labour’s political choice to target farmers is a cruel blow to the industry and will affect workers and consumers across the country. "I went down to London with York farmers for last week’s protest, and I was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them against Labour’s war on the countryside. Despite, tens of thousands signing a petition against the Family Farm Tax, Labour are intent on continuing this vindictive tax,’ he said. ‘But on Wednesday, all MPs including Labour MPs, have the chance to reject Keir Starmer’s plans and help protect hundreds of thousands of farmers, their families and communities like here in York where both Rachael Maskell and Luke Charters have refused to back farmers.
Cllr Steward continued ‘I know people here will be looking towards Labour MPs to see how they vote and I am urging them to reject this tax. I am sure people here and across the country will never forgive them if they destroy to farming industry as this tax will ultimately do’ he added.
