Badenoch Hits Back at Labour’s “Farmers Tax” Stunt
The new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch delivered a punchy retort to Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions, calling Labour’s proposed “cruel farmers tax” a bit of a budget misfire. She warned that if the split-second decision to raise that tax catches any farmers, the party’s message would fizz out faster than a cold beer on a Sunday afternoon.
Key Points from the Debate
- “Student Politics” Slam: Starmer faced a sharp jab for what Badenoch described as a “student” business of politics, implying the plan had too much academic fluff and not enough real‑world practicality.
- Policy reversal under a Tory helm: Kemi highlighted that a Tory government could simply flip the switch on Rachel Reeve’s inheritance tax changes, restoring the old “theorem of passing a tax hike down the line” for anyone’s family legacy.
- Reassurance Call: Badenoch urged Labour to calm the worried farmers and reinforce faith in the tax-free future for those who had put the millions of pounds in the land.
Why the Farmers Should Care
It’s not just about numbers—farmers are dealing with the crunchy reality of the budget boost. If the tax sticks, the future of every sprouting grain—and perhaps a future harvesting gig—gets a bit more expensive.
Wrap‑Up
In the high‑stakes chatter at the Commons, Badenoch positioned her stance as the “right hand to the farmer’s hopes” while nudging Starmer to back off a pricey tax that could soil the green—both literally and figuratively. Stay tuned for the next twist in the fiscal tale.
Labour accused of ‘thievery’ and farmers warn of ‘catastrophic’ consequences
Farmers Are Not Blowing the Budget, Still Hung Over the New Inheritance Tax
In a headline‑sized clash of politics and produce, a handful of British farmers feel like they’ve been “shafted” by the latest tax tweak. The new inheritance tax overhaul, a clever‑looking move by Labour, has left many farm owners worried that their family businesses might turn into a mid‑life crisis.
What the Big Names Are Saying
- Rachel Reeves is accused of being a “fd all farmers” because she marched on the inheritance tax that’s set to bite deep into family farms.
- Sir James Dyson, a billionaire inventor known for his whirring vacuum cans, blasted Labour for waving a hammer that could “kill off family businesses.”
- NFU (National Farmers Union) has warned the government that many farmers could go “militant” against the “brutal inheritance tax raid.”
- Badenoch told Starmer that the Chancellor’s phrases about “fixing the foundations” seemed more like a billboard than a heartfelt pledge to the agri‑community.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded, “I’m happy to help the leader of the Opposition. If she’s going to complain about scripted answers, probably best not to read that from a script.” He mentioned the budget’s major boost—£5 billion over two years—but said the inheritance tax doesn’t touch most farmers.
Why Farmers are Suspicious
Farmers are not just staring at a pile of receipts; they’re looking at how the new 45% tax on estates above £25 million could hit their heirlooms. In a flashback to the last government, many agricultural businesses saw only £300 million allocated, meaning the dear farmers had to pick up the slack.
What the Budget Did
With this decade‑long tax shake‑up, the government has injected £5 billion into farming. The headline sounds swell—but the buried detail is that inheritance taxes could still lean heavy on families who outlived the old regime.
Policy, politics, and pull‑up ropes on the chalkboard are swirling. Farmers, for now, are holding on to their reins, hoping the next intended plan keeps the heir’s chest not just full, but unscathed.
In a Nutshell
Farmers aren’t “getting off the hook”; they’re on the hook for something that might well feel like a rough constant. The debate may grow even louder as the Treasury locks the hammer onto the future of farm families.
