Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has sparked controversy by accusing farmers of falling for “scaremongering” over the government’s proposed inheritance tax raid on farmers. The issue came to a head as farmers threatened to escalate their protests unless the chancellor agrees to meet with them for talks regarding the tax.
Rayner, standing in for the Prime Minister who is currently at the G20 summit in Brazil, faced questions from various political figures including Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper and Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Alex Burghart. The heated exchange highlighted the growing discontent among rural Labour MPs about the government’s plans.
The tension reached a peak when approximately 13,000 farmers took to the streets of Whitehall, with some even bringing their tractors to make a statement. Despite the strong showing of opposition, Environment Secretary urged the protesters to reconsider their stance, stating that they were “wrong.”
In addition to the physical protests, around 1,800 National Farmers’ Union (NFU) members also lobbied their MPs in Westminster to express their concerns about the potential impact of the proposed inheritance tax. The government’s plan to impose a 20 percent inheritance tax on farms valued at over £1 million has sparked outrage and frustration within the farming community.
As the standoff continues, it remains to be seen how the government will address the growing discontent among farmers and whether a resolution can be reached through dialogue and negotiations. The clash between the government and farmers underscores the deep-rooted divisions and tensions surrounding the issue of inheritance tax within the agricultural sector.
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Video “Angela Rayner accuses farmers of falling for “scaremongering”” was uploaded on 11/20/2024 to Youtube Channel The Times and The Sunday Times