Harriet Cross has hit out at Labour MPs for “abandoning farmers again” after they voted to support the UK Government’s family farm tax despite growing concerns from the industry.
The Gordon and Buchan MP was a teller during last night’s House of Commons vote, representing those who went against Labour’s proposals, which are due to come into force in April.
MPs voted 327 to 182 in support of Labour’s plans to impose an inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million.
Rural Labour MP Markus Campbell-Savours voted against, while more than 80 Labour backbenchers abstained.
Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross, who has been a leading voice against the tax raid, said: “The vote was a chance for Labour MPs to finally side with their constituents – not their party – but instead they chose to abandon the nation’s farmers again.
“This was a key opportunity for Labour MPs to show they had both listened to and understood the significant concerns of farmers by voting against this disastrous policy.
“Instead, they chose to ignore these fears by backing a policy that will wipe out future generations of farmers and push food prices to record highs.
“Just three months into the job, and backed by her MPs, Labour’s Defra secretary has already gone against her word by voting to support this indefensible tax rise.
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“Despite the growing anxiety within the industry, Keir Starmer continues to treat farmers, who are the very heartbeat of our country, as an afterthought.
“Rest assured, this isn’t the end of the fight.
“From now until April, I, along with the industry, will continue to battle against the family farm tax until the very end.”
