Former Home Secretary James Cleverly has launched a scathing attack on Labour's agricultural inheritance tax policy, warning it threatens to devastate Britain's farming industry.
Speaking at today's farmers' protest in Westminster, Cleverly condemned the policy as "incredibly poorly thought through, rushed, botched and ill-conceived."
"If we undermine this sector, everybody suffers," he told GB News, emphasising the broader implications for the nation's food security.
The former Home Secretary, who represents a rural constituency, stressed that the policy's impact would extend far beyond farming communities.
"This will damage our rural economy and food security," Cleverly said. "It will put a whole load of businesses out of business."
He called for immediate action from the Labour Government, stating "the best thing the Labour Government can do is drop it completely right now."
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The protest comes as thousands of farmers have descended on Whitehall with their tractors for the third time in four months.
The demonstration, organised by Save British Farming (SBF), is targeting Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Budget decision to extend inheritance tax to agricultural land.
Under the new rules, a 20 per cent inheritance tax rate will be imposed on farms worth more than £1 million, scrapping an existing exemption for family farms.
MPs are set to debate an e-petition today which has gathered nearly 150,000 signatures calling to maintain current inheritance tax exemptions for working farms.
The Country Land and Business Association's deputy president Gavin Lane warned: "The government is hoping we'd move on, but these are our livelihoods we are defending."
SBF founder Liz Webster accused Ms Reeves of ensuring that the UK is "marching into a food crisis."
The protest has drawn significant political backing, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage addressing farmers earlier today.
"From what I can see, Joe Public is getting behind the concept that the family farm should not be driven out of existence," Farage told gathered protesters.
He highlighted that Labour has 100 MPs representing rural or semi-rural constituencies, suggesting the issue could gain political traction.
Industry leaders are scheduled to address the crowds in Whitehall at 3:15pm, including National Farmers Union's Tom Bradshaw and celebrity farmer Gareth Wyn Jones.
Other prominent figures backing the demonstration include Sir Ed Davey, Kemi Badenoch, and TV personality Jeremy Clarkson.
Labour has maintained it will not reverse its plans, which are due to come into force in April 2026.
The Treasury has defended the reforms, stating they "strike the right balance" while addressing "an urgent need to repair the public finances."
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Speaking at today's farmers' protest in Westminster, Cleverly condemned the policy as "incredibly poorly thought through, rushed, botched and ill-conceived."
"If we undermine this sector, everybody suffers," he told GB News, emphasising the broader implications for the nation's food security.
The former Home Secretary, who represents a rural constituency, stressed that the policy's impact would extend far beyond farming communities.
"This will damage our rural economy and food security," Cleverly said. "It will put a whole load of businesses out of business."
He called for immediate action from the Labour Government, stating "the best thing the Labour Government can do is drop it completely right now."
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The protest comes as thousands of farmers have descended on Whitehall with their tractors for the third time in four months.
The demonstration, organised by Save British Farming (SBF), is targeting Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Budget decision to extend inheritance tax to agricultural land.
Under the new rules, a 20 per cent inheritance tax rate will be imposed on farms worth more than £1 million, scrapping an existing exemption for family farms.
MPs are set to debate an e-petition today which has gathered nearly 150,000 signatures calling to maintain current inheritance tax exemptions for working farms.
The Country Land and Business Association's deputy president Gavin Lane warned: "The government is hoping we'd move on, but these are our livelihoods we are defending."
SBF founder Liz Webster accused Ms Reeves of ensuring that the UK is "marching into a food crisis."
The protest has drawn significant political backing, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage addressing farmers earlier today.
"From what I can see, Joe Public is getting behind the concept that the family farm should not be driven out of existence," Farage told gathered protesters.
He highlighted that Labour has 100 MPs representing rural or semi-rural constituencies, suggesting the issue could gain political traction.
Industry leaders are scheduled to address the crowds in Whitehall at 3:15pm, including National Farmers Union's Tom Bradshaw and celebrity farmer Gareth Wyn Jones.
Other prominent figures backing the demonstration include Sir Ed Davey, Kemi Badenoch, and TV personality Jeremy Clarkson.
Labour has maintained it will not reverse its plans, which are due to come into force in April 2026.
The Treasury has defended the reforms, stating they "strike the right balance" while addressing "an urgent need to repair the public finances."
Find Out More...