Labour Party Wages War on UK Farmers

Farmers protesting against inheritance tax changes in Llandudno, Wales.

Sir Keir Starmer was branded 'cowardly' as he dodged scores of farmers protesting in drizzle and cold outside a venue for a a Welsh Labour conference about his Government's Budget.

The Prime Minister told the Welsh Labour conference at Llandudno's Venue Cymru he would defend the Budget 'all day long' as farmers protested against inheritance tax changes.

In his first address as Prime Minister to the conference this morning, Sir Keir praised the election of 27 MPs in July, making Wales a 'Tory-free zone'.

As he spoke, farmers unhappy with the changes to inheritance tax unveiled in Rachel Reeves' first Budget gathered with tractors outside the conference venue in protest.

His convoy left the venue through a back gate, with a police escort, to boos from demonstrators.

Other farmers, angry at planned inheritance tax changes, hooted their tractor horns on the promenade, to try and ensure politicians heard them inside the building.

There were chants of 'save our farms' – as the agricultural industry signalled Labour's budget proposals face a tough battle.

Protest organisers Digon yw Digon - which translates as Enough in Enough - said: 'Our Government isn't working or listening to us'.

Farmers unhappy with the changes to inheritance tax unveiled in Rachel Reeves' first Budget gathered with tractors outside the conference venue in protest 

There were chants of 'save our farms' – as the agricultural industry signalled Labour's budget proposals face a tough battle

Sir Keir Starmer's convoy left the venue through a back gate, with a police escort, to boos from demonstrators.

High-profile farmer Gareth Wyn Jones said: 'He's run home. He didn't have the courtesy to come out and speak to anybody. He hasn't even mentioned anything about farming in the speech.

'It's a cowardly thing to do. These people have come away from their farms to be here. It's really disappointing he didn't have the balls to come out.'

A woman protester passed by Sir Keir's convoy said: 'He sneaked in the back way. He can't face up to people who voted him in. I come from a farming family.

'I never thought I would see the day our farmers were provoked into having to come and make a point.

'What politicians don't understand is if there's no wheat grown, then there's no bread.'

Placards declared there was 'blood on Labour hands' and 'enough is enough.' and 'Labour war on countryside.'

A Snowdonia farmer who wouldn't be named said the budget plans would have 'a hell of an impact.' 

He said :'People are in debt as it is. Our impression is Labour hates farmers.'

Pictured: Aerial shot of farmers gathering to protest against Labour's recent Budget 

A row has erupted over the new taxes on farms, exacerbated by uncertainty about the figures Ms Reeves based the decision on

66% of farm businesses are worth more than the threshold at which inheritance tax will now need to be paid

Justine Gibb (pictured) from Manchester had travelled all the way from home to protest with the farmers

A woman protester passed by Sir Keir's convoy said: 'He sneaked in the back way. He can't face up to people who voted him in. I come from a farming family'

Protestors turned out with signs reading 'save this farmer from Starmer' and 'food doesn't grow on shelves'

Another read 'protesting today to feed you tomorrow!'

Sir Keir did not mention the inheritance tax explicitly in his speech, but said he would defend the 'tough decisions' his Government has made

Sir Keir Starmer was branded 'cowardly' as he dodged scores of farmers protesting in drizzle and cold outside

High-profile farmer Gareth Wyn Jones said: '[Sir Keir] run home. He didn't have the courtesy to come out and speak to anybody'

The farmer warned: 'There will be more empty shelves if things go the way they are.'

A row has erupted over the new taxes on farms, exacerbated by uncertainty about the figures Ms Reeves based the decision on.

Data from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs which suggests 66% of farm businesses are worth more than the threshold at which inheritance tax will now need to be paid.

Sir Keir did not mention the inheritance tax explicitly in his speech, but said he would defend the 'tough decisions' his Government has made.

Farmers gathered together to stage a protest in front of Venue Cymru against a rise in inheritance tax

Placards declared there was 'blood on Labour hands' and 'enough is enough.' and 'Labour war on countryside'

Protest organisers Digon yw Digon - which translates as Enough in Enough - said: 'Our Government isn't working or listening to us'

Labour won 27 out of 32 Parliamentary seats in Wales in the general election, wiping out the Conservatives, who now have no MPs in Wales

Sir Keir said Wales has 'carried the torch' for the Labour Party while Conservatives were in power in Westminster

Farmers met at the shepherding point before travelling into llandudno

Labour won 27 out of 32 Parliamentary seats in Wales in the general election, wiping out the Conservatives, who now have no MPs in Wales.

Sir Keir said Wales has 'carried the torch' for the Labour Party while Conservatives were in power in Westminster.   

Earlier this year former Welsh Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford also faced the wrath of farmers at Rhyl - and avoiding speaking to them too 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14090457/keir-starmer-dodges-farmers-protest-welsh-labour-party-conference-llandudno.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14092925/Farmers-betrayed-Labours-inheritance-tax-raid-Rachel-Reeves-ripping-rug-industry-says-union-chief-slams-plans-halt-supermarket-supplies.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14093801/Labour-ministers-start-drawing-contingency-plans-tackle-food-shortages-farmers-strike-Rachel-Reeves-inheritance-tax-raid.html

Farmers 'betrayed' by Labour's inheritance tax raid and Rachel Reeves is 'ripping the rug out' from the industry, says union chief

Farmers have been left 'betrayed' by Labour's inheritance tax raid and Rachel Reeves has 'ripped the rug out' from the industry, a union boss claimed today.

Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), delivered a fresh blast at the Chancellor's Budget measures ahead of planned protests this week.

There has been uproar since Ms Reeves announced she is imposing inheritance tax on previously exempt agricultural estates.

Critics have warned that move will wipe out family-run farms who will be forced to sell up in order to pay death duties.

Farmers have been left 'betrayed' by Labour's inheritance tax raid and Rachel Reeves (pictured) has 'ripped the rug out' from the industry, a union boss claimed

'I think the industry is feeling betrayed, feeling angry,' the union boss told Sky News.

 'We have a Government saying food security is a critical part of national security.

'Yet they've ripped the rug out from that very industry which is going to invest in food security for the future.'

Also appearing on Sky News, Cabinet minister Louise Haigh swerved questions about why the PM did not speak to protesting farmers outside the Welsh Labour conference

Tory shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the rise in inheritance tax is a 'war on farmers' that will 'undermine our food security'.

Farmers are often 'struggling to make ends meet', he said. 'So the fact that Labour has declared war on farmers is obviously bad for farmers.

'But it's actually bad for all of us, because it'll undermine our food security.'

The Government’s own figures suggest two-thirds of businesses could be hit.

Supermarket shelves could be emptied

Tractors and farm vehicles lined up in a protest outside the Welsh Labour conference

Clive Bailye ((CRCT)), founder of The Farming Forum said it had been ‘disappointing’ to hear the ‘arrogant’ Prime Minister’ at Labour’s conference in Wales.