In a punchy response to a protest close to Milton Keynes, Keir Starmer said voters have to choose between cutting waiting lists and maintaining a tax break for farmers
Farmer protest during Keir Starmer’s visit to housing development
Keir Starmer has clapped back at angry farmers after being forced to abandon a visit because of loud protests.
In a punchy response the PM said the public must choose between tackling NHS waiting lists, bringing down mortgages or continuing a “tax break for farmers”. Tractors blocked a road near Milton Keynes and blared their horns as Mr Starmer was shown around a building site.
Media interviews were postponed and the visit was cut short due to the demonstration. Asked about it later, the PM shot back: “These are political choices, but what you can’t have is interest rates coming down, the growth we need in the economy, your waiting lists coming down, and maintain the tax break for farmers.
“People watching this will understand that that is a choice. They will know what they would prefer. Do they want their waiting lists to come down, do they want their mortgages to come down, the economy to start working for everyone?
“That is what we are trying to achieve. Or do we want to give tax breaks for farmers? We can’t have both.”
Mr Starmer faced the fury of farmers over changes to inheritance tax – which will close a lucrative tax break exempting agricultural land. The Government says the move will affect owners of farms worth more than £3million. It is the latest in a string of protests demanding the policy is reversed.
Farmer Richard Miles, who travelled from Welford, Northamptonshire, said: “We are not being listened to at all, that’s why we feel we have to come and see him in person.”
As the car carrying the Prime Minister left the site, farmers could be heard shouting “just talk to us”. The protesters were carrying signs stating ‘Back British Farming’ and ‘No British farming, no food’.
The 20% inheritance tax rate – half that for everyone else – replaces two types of relief worth up to 100%. The Government has said it has no plans to back down, pointing out that Rachel Reeves’ Budget included ploughing £5billion into farming over the next two years.
The PM’s visit was being held to promote the Government’s plan to build dozens of new towns across England. A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “Thames Valley Police facilitated a peaceful protest off the A509 and liaised with the protesters at the scene.
“Officers from the local policing team engaged with the protesters. No arrests were made or necessary. The protest has reached its conclusion and the group are now dispersing from the area.”
