Dr Neil Hudson MP will be on the Conservative frontbenches today in his role as Shadow DEFRA Minister in an effort to overturn Labour's vindictive Family Farm Tax.
Th Epping Forest MP and veterinary surgeon is a proud advocate for Britain's vibrant farming communities, which are set to be hit by Labour's new inheritance laws, even after Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Environment Secretary Steve Reed promised to protect farmers.
Since the Family Farm Tax announcement in the Budget, Dr Hudson has been at the forefront of the Conservative defence of agricultural communities up and down the land. Recent action includes:
- Appearing on stage at the Westminster farming rally alongside the likes of Kemi Badenoch and Jeremy Clarkson to highlight the thousands that will be affected by this callous manoeuvre.
- Standing up at the Despatch Box to urge the Environment Minister to U-turn on this damaging policy.
- Uniting campaigners behind the Stop the Farm Tax petition which has already garnered hundreds of thousands of signatures.
More than 100,000 farms across the country will be hit by new inheritance tax laws that could force prime agricultural land to be sold off or see farms go into generational debt
So today, in an Opposition Day Debate, Conservatives are fighting back by forcing a vote on the matter so that all MPs - including Labour MPs - can re-evaluate the decision. In parallel, earlier in the day Dr Hudson will be on the front bench leading in a Biosecurity Debate, urging Labour to urgently fund the UK’s biosecurity hub, the APHA, to help prevent a catastrophe in the future if a major animal disease outbreak such as Foot and Mouth strikes.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"I was overwhelmed when thousands of hard-working farmers came out in force here in Westminster to warn the Labour Government about their heartless Family Farm Tax.
"These are tireless and devoted farmers, not only worried about their livelihoods, but worrying about the price of food for consumers at the checkout and the UK's trade standing if forced to rely on volatile international markets.
"Today's debate is essentially a turning point for Keir Starmer's Government. They can either hold their hands up, admit they got things wrong or pursue this senseless agenda which damages not just farming communities but the entire nation, its people and its economy.
"People up and down the land will be looking towards Labour MPs to see how they vote and I am urging them to reject this tax."
To have your say, do consider signing the stopthefarmtax.com petition to back British farming and oppose the new tax
To watch the parliamentary debate live, tune into parliamentlive.tv after Prime Minister's Questions.