Former Labour adviser and Tony Blair aide claims Britain 'does not need farmers'

"It (farming) is an industry we can do without. We do not need small (family) farmers"

Chris Brayford
clock • 4 min read
"Farmers still get a privileged status for their farms and for me personally, I am in favour of doing what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners." (@johnmcternan)
Image:

"Farmers still get a privileged status for their farms and for me personally, I am in favour of doing what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners." (@johnmcternan)

A former Labour adviser has claimed Britain 'no longer needs farmers' in a row over Agricultural Property Relief (APR). John McTernan, who was a director of political operations under former Prime Minister...

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

Farmers protest at Lidl distribution centres
Politics

Farmers protest at Lidl distribution centres

Protesters and tractors are out in Peterborough and Doncaster this morning

Alex Black
Alex Black
clock 22 January 2026 • 1 min read
Scots Gov speaks out on US tariff threat saying any rise would be 'deeply damaging for jobs and economic growth'
Politics

Scots Gov speaks out on US tariff threat saying any rise would be 'deeply damaging for jobs and economic growth'

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes says Scottish interests and the rules-based international system must be respected

Jane Thynne
clock 21 January 2026 • 2 min read
Welsh farmer Abi Reader elected as first female NFU Cymru president
Politics

Welsh farmer Abi Reader elected as first female NFU Cymru president

Cardiff dairy farmer Abi Reader has been unanimously elected as the new president of NFU Cymru, with livestock farmer Paul Williams to be deputy

Jane Thynne
clock 20 January 2026 • 3 min read