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 - Lynette Steel: "Tenant farmers are at risk of losing land to development, particularly large-scale solar projects"
Politics

EXCLUSIVE - Lynette Steel: "Tenant farmers are at risk of losing land to development, particularly large-scale solar projects"

TFA farm policy adviser Lynette Steel writes on what must change for tenant farmers in 2026 and why the industry needs commitments to ensure businesses are adequately paid for the high standard of goods that they produce

Lynette Steel
clock 16 January 2026 • 2 min read
IHT critic Robert Jenrick dismissed from Tories after plotting to defect to Reform
Politics

IHT critic Robert Jenrick dismissed from Tories after plotting to defect to Reform

Newark MP Robert Jenrick has been sent his marching orders by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch after evidence came to light that he was about to defect to Nigel Farage and Reform

Chris Brayford
Chris Brayford
clock 15 January 2026 • 4 min read
EXCLUSIVE - Jamie Wyllie: "It is vital that we support home-grown production to bolster our food security"
Politics

EXCLUSIVE - Jamie Wyllie: "It is vital that we support home-grown production to bolster our food security"

It has been a challenging start to the year for pig farmers, and producers have called on retailers and Scottish Government to support Scotland's pork sector instead of choosing imports from abroad

Jamie Wyllie
clock 14 January 2026 • 4 min read