Gabrielle Wilde
Guest Reporter
A British farmer has hit out at Labour for using a "blunt weapon" to attack rural communities, as he claimed that many in the profession are switching support to Reform UK.
Guy Tucker revealed he was forced to sell his land due to tax rises and now rents a farm in Hertfordshire.
In an exclusive interview with GB News, Tucker shared his wider fears for the industry and claimed that the Labour Government is targeting those that they "perceive to be wealthy."
He said: "I think everybody that they perceive to be wealthy is being targeted more. When it comes to rural communities, this is a very blunt weapon that they're using. It's definitely going to have an impact."
Tucker's comments come after farmers threatened to blockade ports and disrupt food supplies across Britain if Sir Keir Starmer doesn't reconsider Rachel Reeves' new inheritance tax changes on agricultural land.
The militant actions are being considered after Reeves' maiden Budget confirmed that farms worth over £1million will now face a 20 per cent inheritance tax, whereas they were previously exempt.
Reform UK has been particularly vocal about the impact on the farming community, with Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe stating: “Reform UK is committed to the preservation and prosperity of farming communities across the country.
"It is clearer than ever that the values and aims of this Labour Government do not align with the interests of British jobs or rural communities.
“An attack on farming is an attack on Great Britain. Our farmers are the backbone of this nation, yet Labour’s disregard for their livelihoods is nothing short of disgraceful.”
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Asked whether farmers would be likely to switch over and become Reform UK voters, Tucker said: "I think they are already to be very honest.
"With the Conservative Party and in a state of flux, they're not coming out with anything concrete at the moment either. So I think people are looking for another option."
He added: "We've been in a state of flux for quite some time and nothing stays the same. Everything changes.
"But certainly since Brexit and as we've had some pretty serious weather recently, it's not getting any easier.
"So what can I do? You keep going. We do it mainly because we enjoy doing it, and it's what we want to do."
However, No10 has insisted that farmers will still benefit from a "generous" tax regime despite the backlash from the community and Reform UK.
A mass rally of around 10,000 farmers is planned for London on November 19, running parallel to the National Farmers' Union's official lobby event.
The NFU has organised a "mass lobby" for 1,800 members to petition MPs about changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief.
A separate peaceful march through the capital has been organised after the NFU cited "legal issues" preventing large numbers from gathering in Westminster.
"We don't want to upset or cause problems, we just want to feed people," Farming Forum founder Clive Bailye said.
The Metropolitan Police has since confirmed it is aware of both events and will work with organisers to facilitate the demonstrations.
Despite concern from farmers, Starmer defiantly rejected criticisms about the tax raising policy.
The Prime Minister last week said: "When it comes to inheritance, the vast, vast majority of farmers will be unaffected."
Find Out More...
Guy Tucker revealed he was forced to sell his land due to tax rises and now rents a farm in Hertfordshire.
In an exclusive interview with GB News, Tucker shared his wider fears for the industry and claimed that the Labour Government is targeting those that they "perceive to be wealthy."
He said: "I think everybody that they perceive to be wealthy is being targeted more. When it comes to rural communities, this is a very blunt weapon that they're using. It's definitely going to have an impact."
Tucker's comments come after farmers threatened to blockade ports and disrupt food supplies across Britain if Sir Keir Starmer doesn't reconsider Rachel Reeves' new inheritance tax changes on agricultural land.
The militant actions are being considered after Reeves' maiden Budget confirmed that farms worth over £1million will now face a 20 per cent inheritance tax, whereas they were previously exempt.
Reform UK has been particularly vocal about the impact on the farming community, with Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe stating: “Reform UK is committed to the preservation and prosperity of farming communities across the country.
"It is clearer than ever that the values and aims of this Labour Government do not align with the interests of British jobs or rural communities.
“An attack on farming is an attack on Great Britain. Our farmers are the backbone of this nation, yet Labour’s disregard for their livelihoods is nothing short of disgraceful.”
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Asked whether farmers would be likely to switch over and become Reform UK voters, Tucker said: "I think they are already to be very honest.
"With the Conservative Party and in a state of flux, they're not coming out with anything concrete at the moment either. So I think people are looking for another option."
He added: "We've been in a state of flux for quite some time and nothing stays the same. Everything changes.
"But certainly since Brexit and as we've had some pretty serious weather recently, it's not getting any easier.
"So what can I do? You keep going. We do it mainly because we enjoy doing it, and it's what we want to do."
However, No10 has insisted that farmers will still benefit from a "generous" tax regime despite the backlash from the community and Reform UK.
A mass rally of around 10,000 farmers is planned for London on November 19, running parallel to the National Farmers' Union's official lobby event.
The NFU has organised a "mass lobby" for 1,800 members to petition MPs about changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief.
A separate peaceful march through the capital has been organised after the NFU cited "legal issues" preventing large numbers from gathering in Westminster.
"We don't want to upset or cause problems, we just want to feed people," Farming Forum founder Clive Bailye said.
The Metropolitan Police has since confirmed it is aware of both events and will work with organisers to facilitate the demonstrations.
Despite concern from farmers, Starmer defiantly rejected criticisms about the tax raising policy.
The Prime Minister last week said: "When it comes to inheritance, the vast, vast majority of farmers will be unaffected."
Find Out More...