Rural Labour MPs are set to face a fresh wave of protests in their constituencies in 2025 as angry farmers continue railing against Rachel Reeves’ hated death duties.
The Chancellor slapped previously exempt farmers with 20 per cent tax on assets over £1million despite the industry already struggling with unprecedented challenges.
Farmers have warned the move will wipe out profits for up to a decade and in some cases force the sale of land and machinery to foot the bill, damaging the UK’s food security.
But the Treasury maintains the anxiety and wrath of rural Britain is worth the £520 million they hope to raise from the policy per year by 2030, despite that being just 2.3 per cent of the £22billion black hole, or enough to fund the NHS for one day and five hours.
Reeves also argues that only 500 of the richest farmers will be affected per year, but several leading experts have seriously questioned this figure including left-wing Labour-activist Dan Neidle who originally championed the tax before U-turning.
Tens of thousands of farmers also passionately disagree, as demonstrated in two huge tractor demos that gridlocked central London in recent weeks.
But with the government refusing to budge, the National Farming Union are coordinating their next protests.
They have announced a ‘national day of action’ with demos planned in rural towns across Britain. Farmers want to target Labour MPs in rural constituencies in particular, many who voted for the tax in the recent opposition day debate.
GB News has analysed Labour’s constituencies around the country and generated a map of the top 50 rural Labour MPs with the smallest majorities.
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Rural Labour MPs with the smallest majorities
GBN
These MPs will be feeling the most pressure from their constituents as Labour whips ask for their support in passing Reeves death duties into law.
Many have in recent weeks suffered the blow of having their local council pass motions demanding a repeal of the tax.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said farmers would not back down from fighting the “destructive” policy.
“There is too much at risk – our families, our future, our heritage and the undermining of the very sector that produces a safe, secure supply of British food,” he said. Roadside banners will be put up along main roads to catch MPs’ attention as they travel over Christmas.
A government spokesman said the changes to agricultural and business property relief would affect about 500 estates a year.
The spokesman said: “For these estates, inheritance tax will be at half the rate paid by others, with ten years to pay the liability back interest-free.
“This is a fair and balanced approach which fixes the public services we all rely on.”
The spokesman added that ministers’ support for farmers was “steadfast”, with £5 billion committed to the farming budget over the next two years.
LATEST FROM MEMBERSHIP:
Top 10 rural Labour MPs with smallest majorities
| Constituency | MP | Majority | Rank (smallest to largest) |
|---|---|---|---|
| North West Cambridgeshire | Sam Carling | 39 | 1 |
| Peterborough | Andrew Pakes | 118 | 2 |
| Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland | Luke Myer | 214 | 3 |
| Forest of Dean | Matt Bishop | 278 | 4 |
| Derbyshire Dales | John Whitby | 350 | 5 |
| Sittingbourne and Sheppey | Kevin McKenna | 355 | 6 |
| Stoke-on-Trent South | Allison Gardner | 627 | 7 |
| Aylesbury | Laura Kyrke-Smith | 630 | 8 |
| South West Norfolk | Terry Jermy | 630 | 9 |
| North Somerset | Sadik Al-Hassan | 639 | 10 |
