GB News host Bev Turner was left slapping her head in frustration as a former Labour adviser suggested farmers should "sell up" if their businesses are not "making money for you".
Farmers are staging a fresh tractor protest outside Parliament today as opposition continues against Labour's planned inheritance tax changes for agricultural land.
The demonstration, organised by Save British Farming, coincides with MPs debating an e-petition that has gathered more than 148,000 signatures.
However, Labour has insisted it will not U-turn on its plans to introduce a 20 per cent inheritance tax rate on farms worth more than £1million.
Speaking to GB News, James Matthewson said when comparing farmers "sitting on million pound assets" to potential cuts affecting teachers, public services and welfare benefit claimants, "unfortunately it's those people who have more" who should pay more.
While acknowledging farmers need protections as food producers, Matthewson made the controversial suggestion that some should consider selling up.
"If your farm cannot make money still on those stipulations... it is in your best interest to sell up and do something with that asset and with that money," he said.
Slapping her head in frustration, host Bev Turner hit back at Matthewson and claimed that Labour "doesn't like anyone owning anything".
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Bev argued: "There we go! Right then, it's people giving up their farms, which have served the community of this country for generations. Labour don't like people owning anything.
"It does seem from where we're sitting that it seems to be cut and dry. We know we need tax, but we cannot surely afford to lose hundreds of British farms."
In agreement with Bev, cohost Andrew Pierce added: "And possibly the farm could have been in the same family for 150 years."
The Government has defended the reforms, stating its commitment to farmers remains "steadfast" but citing an "urgent need to repair the public finances in as fair a way as possible."
The new rules will scrap an existing exemption that allowed family farms to be passed down without any inheritance tax being paid.
The National Farmers Union has expressed support for members participating in the protest.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: "The strength of feeling around the proposed family farm tax is still incredibly high.
"We support any members who want to take part in other respectful and lawful demonstrations which work towards our aim to stop the family farm tax."
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Farmers are staging a fresh tractor protest outside Parliament today as opposition continues against Labour's planned inheritance tax changes for agricultural land.
The demonstration, organised by Save British Farming, coincides with MPs debating an e-petition that has gathered more than 148,000 signatures.
However, Labour has insisted it will not U-turn on its plans to introduce a 20 per cent inheritance tax rate on farms worth more than £1million.
Speaking to GB News, James Matthewson said when comparing farmers "sitting on million pound assets" to potential cuts affecting teachers, public services and welfare benefit claimants, "unfortunately it's those people who have more" who should pay more.
While acknowledging farmers need protections as food producers, Matthewson made the controversial suggestion that some should consider selling up.
"If your farm cannot make money still on those stipulations... it is in your best interest to sell up and do something with that asset and with that money," he said.
Slapping her head in frustration, host Bev Turner hit back at Matthewson and claimed that Labour "doesn't like anyone owning anything".
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Bev argued: "There we go! Right then, it's people giving up their farms, which have served the community of this country for generations. Labour don't like people owning anything.
"It does seem from where we're sitting that it seems to be cut and dry. We know we need tax, but we cannot surely afford to lose hundreds of British farms."
In agreement with Bev, cohost Andrew Pierce added: "And possibly the farm could have been in the same family for 150 years."
The Government has defended the reforms, stating its commitment to farmers remains "steadfast" but citing an "urgent need to repair the public finances in as fair a way as possible."
The new rules will scrap an existing exemption that allowed family farms to be passed down without any inheritance tax being paid.
The National Farmers Union has expressed support for members participating in the protest.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: "The strength of feeling around the proposed family farm tax is still incredibly high.
"We support any members who want to take part in other respectful and lawful demonstrations which work towards our aim to stop the family farm tax."
Find Out More...