In an interview on the impact of the UK Budget on farmers last night, the former Labour aid John McTernan said “I’m personally in favour of doing to farmers, if they go onto the streets, we can do to them what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners…It’s an industry we could do without.”
During her premiership, the former Conservative prime minister closed down coal mines sparking significant backlash from mining communities.
In the interview, Mr McTernan added: “If people are so upset that they want to go on the streets and spread slurry, then we don’t need small farmers”.
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Former Labour Political Secretary John McTernan made the comments after Rachel Reeves announced in her budget last month that farming assets worth more than £1 million would face a 20% inheritance tax from next year.
There will also be National Insurance hikes threatening small farming businesses, and the ending of ring-fenced funding for Scotland’s agriculture putting Scottish farmers at a disadvantage.
SNP MSP Elena Whitham said: “We know that the current Labour Government are a pale imitation of the Tories – but to hear a former Labour Political Secretary threaten to “do to the farmers what Thatcher did to the miners” is beyond belief.
“Just like Thatcher, this current UK Government is taking bold decisions regarding one of Scotland’s most critical industries with virtually no consultation or thought given to the consequences.
“Whether it’s mining or farming, we cannot continue to allow UK governments of any colour to have the deciding say on Scotland’s most critical industries – it is clear from his latest comments that a number of Labour establishment figures like John McTernan have never met a farmer in their life.”
The prime minister Keir Starmer has distanced himself from the comments, saying he “totally disagrees” with Mr McTernan.
Asked about Mr McTernan’s remarks at the COP29 conference, Sir Keir said: “I’m absolutely committed to supporting our farmers, I said that before the election and I said it after the election.
“I was very pleased that we’re investing £5bn of our budget for the next two years into farming.
“I think it’s essential that they not only prosper, but prosper well into the future, so I totally disagree with those comments.”
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned that plans to roll together allowances for both Inheritance tax relief and business property relief could leave far more agricultural businesses exposed to the tax.
The Countryside Land and Business Association meanwhile says some average-sized farms will have to pay more than they make in profits each year to cover the costs of the tax, warning this could lead to land sell-offs.
The NFU is planning a mass lobby event in London on November 19 against the changes, and a splinter protest event is also expected to take place.
