Abstaining from IHT vote sent Gov 'powerful message' to rethink policy, Labour MP says

Derbyshire Dales MP John Whitby explains why abstaining from a vote to limit APR and BPR was a powerful tool in showcasing the 'level of feeling' within the Labour Party to protect family farms from Inheritance Tax changes

Chris Brayford

14 December 2025 • 4 min read

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Derbyshire Dales MP John Whitby said: "As a Labour MP, I believe in progressive taxation. But progressive taxation means taxing those who can afford to pay, not those already struggling to pay the bills. We cannot tax those who are struggling to pay the bills."

A rural MP has claimed Labour MPs who abstained from voting to limit Inheritance Tax changes sent the Government a clear message that there needs to be a rethink of the policy before it becomes law...

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