Labour has suspended one of its own MPs after he broke ranks to vote against the party’s contentious inheritance tax changes for farmers, deepening internal divisions over the reforms and fuelling anger in rural communities.
Markus Campbell-Savours, the MP for Penrith and Solway, was the only Labour member to oppose the measure in the Commons on Tuesday night. The proposal – part of the Budget resolutions – passed comfortably by 327 votes to 182, but more than 80 Labour MPs abstained, reflecting widespread discomfort within the party.
Campbell-Savours, who represents one of England’s most rural constituencies, said he could not support changes to agricultural property relief (APR) that he believes will devastate family farms. The reforms introduce a 20 per cent tax on agricultural land and businesses worth more than £1 million, despite earlier assurances from Labour figures that APR would be left untouched.
Speaking during the Budget debate, he warned that many elderly farmers still making arrangements to transfer assets now faced “devastating” consequences.
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
