Tim Bonner - CA chief executive: "Labour has indeed squandered the trust and support of a very significant part of the rural community"

"57% say they trust Labour less as a result of the Inheritance Tax decision and nearly a quarter of Labour voters say they are now unhappy about the way they voted at the General Election"

Chris Brayford
clock • 3 min read
Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, on the family farm tax debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday (December 4). "A debate designed to score party political points was never going to see new Labour MPs from rural constituencies leaving the party fold."
Image:

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, on the family farm tax debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday (December 4). "A debate designed to score party political points was never going to see new Labour MPs from rural constituencies leaving the party fold."

My first reaction to the announcement in the Budget that the Government was going to impose Inheritance Tax on farmland was that it was bad politics. With one policy, Labour risked giving up all the...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358
Register for free Join Now

 

More on Politics

EXCLUSIVE - Ann Davies: "Decisions are being made without understanding the devastation they will cause to rural communities and the food supply chain"
Politics

EXCLUSIVE - Ann Davies: "Decisions are being made without understanding the devastation they will cause to rural communities and the food supply chain"

Caerfyrddin MP Ann Davies reflects on another difficult year for farmers, the resilience of the rural sector, why Government must implement policies which protects the future of family farming, and why farms must not be caught in the crossfire of Inheritance Tax changes

Ann Davies
clock 05 January 2026 • 3 min read
'I listened to the NFU', Starmer says after raising IHT thresholds for family farms
Politics

'I listened to the NFU', Starmer says after raising IHT thresholds for family farms

The Prime Minister has still argued that the principle of applying Inheritance Tax to farms is reasonable, despite announcing a partial U-turn on the policy prior to Christmas

Chris Brayford
Chris Brayford
clock 05 January 2026 • 1 min read
OPINION: Farming's future is with the family farm
Politics

OPINION: Farming's future is with the family farm

There is a narrative that family farms are fading and that the next generation is not interested. But, I simply do not recognise it.

Ellie Layton
clock 05 January 2026 • 1 min read